Liverpool faced off against Red Star Belgrade earlier this evening hoping to claim maximum points from this Champions League encounter. The Reds began the match on the front foot and created a couple of good chances to score. However, they were wasteful in front of goal and got caught out on a corner. Milan Pavkov opened the goal-scoring on the night with his header in the 22nd minute. Things went from bad to worse for Jurgen Klopp as Pavkov struck again for the home side just seven minutes later to give the Serbian giants a healthy two-goal lead at half-time.
The Merseyside club tried to fight back but couldn’t come up with a goal in the second half. The match ended 2-0 in favour of the Serbian outfit with Liverpool in deep trouble with regards to qualifying from their group.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the contest against Red Star.
GK: Alisson Ramses Becker – 5/10
The Brazilian was left helpless for Red Star’s first goal but would be slightly disappointed that he couldn’t save Pavkov’s powerful shot from range.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 4/10
The English youngster looked average at best during the first half and failed to provide a telling cross from the right flank.
CB: Joel Matip – 5/10
He was not able to cope with the threat of Pavkov and had to endure a difficult first half. However, he was largely untroubled in the second period.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – 5/10
A rare poor showing from the Dutch international. The centre-back couldn’t command his own box and wasted a couple of good opportunities to score.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 7/10
The Scottish full-back was Liverpool’s best player on the pitch. He never gave up and was always willing to work hard to get his team back into the contest.
CM: James Milner – 5/10
An off night from the Reds midfielder. His distribution was poor at times, and he failed to provide a decisive through ball going forward.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 6/10
The Dutch midfielder worked hard for the team and retained possession well in midfield. However, he lacked the creativity needed to open up the Red Star defence.
CM: Adam Lallana – 4/10
Lallana looks like a shadow of his former self. His dreadful showing was one of the main reasons why Liverpool couldn’t dominate the midfield like they usually do.
RM: Mohamed Salah – 5/10
The Egyptian talent could not take the opportunities that fell to him which ultimately cost Liverpool the points on the night.
ST: Daniel Sturridge – 3/10
The English forward squandered Liverpool’s early chances by being selfish in the final third. He was horrendous on the night and was rightfully subbed at half-time.
LM: Sadio Mané – 5/10
The Senegalese speedster was a threat for the Red Star defenders in the first half. However, his performance in the second was woeful down the right flank.
Substitutes:
ST: Roberto Firmino – 5/10
The Brazilian couldn’t change much in the game and had a difficult night along with the rest of his teammates.
CB: Joe Gomez – 6/10
His giant throw-ins were the away team’s best hope in the second half. He also coped well defensively to help Liverpool retain possession.
ST: Divock Origi – 4/10
He was a spectator on the pitch after coming off the bench for the final quarter of the game.
