Liverpool 4-0 Red Star Belgrade: goals galore at Anfield as Mo Salah scores his 50th
Relive all the action from Anfield where Liverpool took on Red Star
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool inflicted an almighty 4-0 thumping on a drab Red Star Belgrade, who failed to rekindle glory at one of their old English haunts.
It's 35 years since Red Star came to Liverpool and clinched a 2-1 victory but what they experienced tonight was a cruel one-way battering which rarely left them with a moment's pause.
The first came after 17 minutes when Xherdan Shaqiri - the game's man of the match - held up play in midfield to allow Andy Robertson to dart beyond Belgrade's right back and cut-back to Roberto Firmino who gratefully accepted the end to his goal-drought.
Then it was the turn of Mo Salah, who after an unsteady start was the recipient of a deft flick by Shaqiri and side-footed home Liverpool's second. The little Egyptian added another to his total just a few minutes later from the penalty spot after Mane was felled in the box by a flying elbow.
Mane should have then had one from the spot himself but was denied by a brilliant save but made amends just minutes later with an old-fashioned toe-poke tap-in to complete the healthy haul.
The victory puts Liverpool in pole position in Group C, which has quickly become a group of death in this year's Champions League. The Reds are one point clear of Napoli, who were pegged back by PSG in the last minute thanks to a stunning strike from Angel Di Maria, when it looked as though the visors secure the most unlikely away victory.
Liverpool host Red Star Belgrade looking to reassert themselves in Group C of the Champions League on a night when leaders Napoli play PSG in Paris. Harry will be here with all the build-up and team news from around 6.30pm BST. In the meantime, here's the latest from the Liverpool camp:
↵Liverpool team news has landed and the fab three are reunited in attack, with Fabinho starting in midfield:
The players make their way on to the pitch.
Surely a comfortable home win for Liverpool at Anfield?
1 minute
A firm early challenge from a Red Star midfielder.
It looks more like an initial 4-1-4-1 than the listed 4-2-3-1 from the visitors. 4-3-3 as expected from Liverpool with Xherdan Shaqiri again in midfield.
4 minutes
Andrew Robertson concedes a foul after an errant Joe Gomez pass.
Red Star free kick on the right about 35 yards out.
6 minutes
Mohamed Salah thinks he may have broken free from the Red Star defence but he is just offside and flagged as such.
9 minutes
Red Star have rattled the Liverpool side in these early stages, but the home side are just starting to find their footing.
10 minutes
First chance for Liverpool.
Joe Gomez breaks from defence strongly and feeds Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian in turn looks for Roberto Firmino, but Trent Alexander-Arnold's forward run takes him into the Brazilian's path and he inadvertently blocks Firming's shot.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments