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
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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.
15 minutes
Red Star will be content enough with how they have started. Roberto Firmino is dropping in to the hole more and more as the game progresses with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane looking to breach in behind, but thus far Liverpool have had little joy.
17 minutes
Red Star swing an outswinging corner into the box and big centre-back Srdan Babic has timed his run superbly.
He seems shocked that the ball has sailed all the way onto his left boot and rather chips his volley over the bar. That was a chance.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Red Star Belgrade (Roberto Firmino, 20 minutes)
Lovely goal.
Andrew Robertson marauds forward for the first time and is superbly found by Xherdan Shaqiri threading the ball between a couple of defenders. The Scottish left-back cuts back to the waiting Roberto Firmino, who flicks the ball between his feet waiting for an opening, choosing his moment to fire home via a slight deflection off a Red Star boot.
1-0 to the hosts.
24 minutes
Red Star are still having a real go of things, but they are nearly caught out on the counter.
Alisson sparks it with a fantastic throw to Andrew Robertson, Sadio Mane is subsequently freed down the line but Mohamed Salah scuffs his left-footed shot from Mane's cutback.
26 minutes
Andrew Robertson is coming forward at every opportunity.
This time an elongated one-two with Sadio Mane opens up an opportunity for Robertson to shoot, but he opts for a cross, rather wasting it with an over hit head high pass that goes out for a goal kick.
28 minutes
This is a big night for Fabinho. The Brazilian has been out of favour since arriving at Liverpool but a combination of injuries and the lower-profile nature of this game has meant an opportunity to start.
He's had some nervous early touches but now appears more settled in midfield.
31 minutes
Close!
Superb play from Liverpool, a cheeky back heel from Sadio Mane spinning on the edge of the box and Mohamed Salah is through one-on-one.
He's flagged offside (rather belatedly) but Milan Borjan saves anyway.
34 minutes
Andrew Robertson wins the ball back in forward areas and is freed by Roberto Firmino.
Milan Borjan rather exposes his near post and it appears Robertson may be trying to sneak one in, but he chips his effort over the bar.
37 minutes
Xherdan Shaqiri in the Mohamed Salah position, cutting in onto his left foot about 25 yards from goal.
Tame-ish. Claimed by Milan Borjan.
38 minutes
Milan Borjan is a bit of a showman - he comes flying out in dramatic fashion, seemingly hanging in mid-air to gather relatively simply from Xherdan Shaqiri's cross.
A slight fumble as he came back to terra firma, which may interest the Liverpool players. Borjan's handling has looked a little suspect and he looks particularly uncomfortable with the ball at his feet.
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