Liverpool 4-0 Red Star Belgrade
by James Nalton
at Anfield

RED STAR BELGRADE manager Vladan Milojevic is looking forward to his next meeting with Liverpool in a couple of weeks after seeing his side fall to a 4-0 defeat on Merseyside.

Red Star were banned from bringing fans to the game following pitch invasions and the setting off of fireworks after their 2-2 play-off draw in Salzburg at the beginning of the season.

Milojevic believes the return game in Belgrade will offer a different experience due to the presence of the home supporters and is relishing another challenge against last season’s finalists.

“You will see what our supporters are like when the game comes to Belgrade. We are a small but proud nation,” he said.

“We are in a group with very strong opponents. Liverpool were in the final last year. 

“They are a fantastic team and, with the speed they play, the only way we can feel that is on the pitch playing against them.”

They felt the full force of Liverpool’s attack as all of Jurgen Klopp’s usual front three got their names on the scoresheet. 

The game saw Mohamed Salah reach 50 goals quicker than any other player in Liverpool’s history, doing so in 65 appearances. This was 12 games fewer than the previous record which had been held by Albert Stubbins since 1948.

Roberto Firmino opened the scoring after a defence-flummoxing through ball from Xherdan Shaqiri set Andy Robertson free on the left. The full-back found Firmino just inside the area with a composed low cross through traffic.

Salah’s first was also created by Shaqiri who was Liverpool’s standout player despite not getting his name on the scoresheet. The Egyptian’s second, and the goal which took him to 50 for the club, came from the penalty spot after Sadio Mane was fouled in the area.

Salah was substituted in the second half, so it was Mane who stepped up to take a second penalty awarded for handball, but he saw his kick well saved by Canada international goalkeeper Milan Borjan.

Mane managed to get his name on the scoresheet later, however, stabbing home Daniel Sturridge’s selfless pass.

Klopp was pleased with the display of his front three and also praised midfielder Fabinho who had turned 25 a day earlier and was excellent on his first European start for the club.

“Very good. Very, very good,” said Klopp of his new signing. 

“The present for his birthday was not that he was in the line-up, it was that we played his favourite system with a double-six! He played really well and it was good to see.”

Liverpool now sit at the top of Group C, just ahead of Napoli who drew with Paris Saint-Germain.