Liverpool player ratings vs Red Star Belgrade

Liverpool suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade in front of a hostile crowd in Belgrade.

The Reds dominated possession but failed to create enough chances. Milan Pavkov headed in the opener from a corner in the 22nd minute and doubled the advantage for the home side with a wonderful curling effort from range just before the half-hour mark.

Liverpool looked way off the pace in the first half but improved in the second half as Mohamed Salah came close on a couple of occasions.

The home side put up a strong defensive performance, not allowing Jurgen Klopp’s men to get a clear sight of goal.

The defeat puts Liverpool in second place in Group C, just behind Napoli on goal difference. Jurgen Klopp should be relieved that the other game in Group C between Napoli and PSG ended in a 1-1 draw, which should keep Liverpool within striking distance of a spot in the last 16.

Player Ratings

1. Alisson (5/10)

Made a good save in the first half before the opener; hardly at fault for the first goal but should have done better with his positioning to prevent the second from going in.

2. Trent Alexander Arnold (5/10)

He was put under a lot of pressure at the back and looked a bit indecisive going forward; lacked the quality in both halves of the pitch and this is his third below-par display in a row.

3. Andrew Robertson (6.5/10)

Looked quite solid at the back and operated as a specialist winger in the second half; put in the hard yards and unlucky to have his cross deflected on to the bar.

4. Virgil van Dijk (6/10)

Wasn’t a very convincing display by the Dutchman; looked a bit rusty and misplaced a header which led to the opener; should have kept his header on target towards the end.

5. Joel Matip (5/10)

Showed exactly why he is not one of the first names on the team sheet. Quite solid at the back but lacked authority in his performance; partly to blame for Pavkov’s second and should have scored with a header late on,

6. Georginio Wijnaldum (4.5/10)

Struggled to get into the game in the first half and was too easily brushed aside by Pavkov for the second goal. Improved a little in the second half but wasn’t his best display in a Liverpool shirt.

7. James Milner (5/10)

Should have been penalised for a handball inside the box in the second half; looked fatigued and didn’t have the impact that is expected from him.

8. Adam Lallana (6/10)

Arguably the pick of the midfielders. His goalbound header was deflected wide and looked quite sharp going forward.

9. Sadio Mane (6/10)

Embarked on some powerful runs down the left and created chances in the first half. Not so impactful in the second half.

10. Daniel Sturridge (5/10)

Poor performance by the centre-forward. Missed an easy chance from close range in the first half and looked a bit rusty with the ball at his feet.

11. Mohamed Salah (6/10)

He put in all the effort even when the team wasn’t playing well. Had his shot saved by the goalkeeper and unlucky to hit the crossbar in the dying stages of the game.

Substitutes

1. Joe Gomez (6/10)

Came on for Alexander Arnold and did a much better job as a right-back. Comfortable in possession and contributed to the attack at times.

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2. Roberto Firmino (6/10)

A lively presence in the final third and looked threatening. Played a few good balls into the box but wasn’t able to get the team back into the game.

3. Divock Origi (N/A)

Came on to replace Lallana for his first appearance in almost a year and a half.