Liverpool 4-0 Red Star: Every player rated as Fabinho goes tackle mad on his full Champions League debut for the Reds

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Liverpool moved top of their Champions League group following an easy 4-0 victory over Red Star Belgrade at Anfield.

After a bright start from Red Star, Liverpool took the lead on 20 minutes through Roberto Firmino before Mohamed Salah doubled it just before half-time.

Salah scored again from the penalty spot five minutes after the break to put the Reds in cruise control before Sadio Mane rounded off the win.

Here’s how the players rated.

Liverpool

Alisson – 5 – A spectator.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6 – Was another member of the Anfield crowd at times with Liverpool heavily favouring the left for their attacks and Red Star offering little down his flank.

Joe Gomez – 8 – Another confident performance from the Englishman, who seemed to win every ball thrown and him and showed composure on the ball despite a few sloppy passes early on.

Virgil van Dijk – 7 – Had very little to do, but helped keep Red Star’s attacking players frustrated.

Andrew Robertson – 8 – A brilliant performance from the Scot, who enjoyed a lot of freedom down Liverpool’s left. Made a good run and cross for Firmino’s goal which seemed to give him even more confidence, constantly causing a threat.

Fabinho – 8 – The Brazilian did not have the best start, looking a tad complacent in midfield. But Fabinho quickly grew into the match and helped dominate the midfield alongside his partners, showing good passing ability and strength in duels.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 7 – Another strong game for Wijnaldum who showed both his offensive and defensive capabilities, pushing forward at the right times and holding deep to prevent any counter attacks.

Xherdan Shaqiri – 9 – The Swiss international is starting to make it harder for Klopp not to start him with another excellent performance. Involved in both of Liverpool’s first half goals, Shaqiri initially won the ball back in midfield before playing in Robertson, who set up Firmino, and then provided a neat touch to assist Salah.

Mohamed Salah – 8 – Missed a couple of opportunities to score but finally got on the scoresheet just before half-time with a well-taken finish. Scored a good penalty to put Liverpool out of sight and bring up his 50th goal for the club.

Key stat: Mohamed Salah has scored 50 goals in just 65 games for Liverpool across all competitions, the quickest a player has reached that milestone for the Reds.

Roberto Firmino – 8 – Firmino was at his best dropping deep initially before ghosting into the area unseen to give Liverpool the lead, showing calmness inside the box. Slightly less influential in the second half but worked hard to keep his side firmly in control.

Sadio Mane – 7 – Playing slightly more central as Robertson dominated the left, Mane had a good game. Missed from the penalty spot but did get his goal shortly after.

Substitutions:

Adam Lallana (for Shaqiri 68) – 5 – Should have put Liverpool 5-0 up on the night, having been played in by Sturridge but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper.

Daniel Sturridge (for Salah 73) – 6 – Did well to set up Mane’s goal and should have recorded another assist but for Lallana’s miss.

Albero Moreno (for Robertson 82) – N/A – A late sub.

Red Star Belgrade

Milan Borjan – 6 – The Canadian international had a good start to the match, doing well to deny Salah early on. But Borjan couldn’t do anything about Liverpool’s two first-half goals, being beaten by a deflection and a well-taken finish. Having already being beaten by one penalty, saved Mane’s effort well.

Filip Stojkovic – 3 – Though Red Star clearly came to Anfield to attack, Stojkovic was far too focused on getting forward and often left a wide gap in defence. Fell asleep in the build up to Firmino’s goal, pushing too narrow and too far forward. And it was he who conceded the penalty early in the second half for blocking Mane.

Srdan Babic – 4 – Had a good opportunity to give Red Star the lead with a free shot from a corner but his volley sailed well over from close range. A culprit for Liverpool’s second goal, allowing Salah to run into the box unmarked.

Milos Degenek – 4 – Alongside Babic, folded in defence as Liverpool ramped up the pressure, offering Borjan little protection.

Marko Gobeljic – 5 – With both Liverpool and Red Star seemingly favouring the opposing flank, Gobeljic had very little to do defensively.

Nenad Krsticic – 4 – Was in a good position to mark Firmino in the build up to the Brazilian’s goal but allowed him to run past without challenge. Tried to get back to correct his lack of concentration but it was too late.

Branko Jovicic – 5 – Spent a lot of the first half ball-watching, not adding much in either defence or attack.

Slavoljub Srnic – 5 – Overpowered in midfield, Srnic could do little to prevent Liverpool controlling the match.

Lorenzo Ebecilio – 5 – Tricky on the ball, but did not trouble Liverpool’s defence at all.

El Fardou Ben Nabouhane – 4 – Was completely unhelpful defensively, when he needed to track back to cover caps left by Stojkovic. Allowed Robertson to get a run on him in the build up to Firmino’s opener. Penalised for handball inside the box for Liverpool’s second penalty.

Richmond Boakye – 4 – Completely isolated throughout the match with his side barely getting into the Liverpool half for large parts.

Substitutions:

Dusan Jovancic (for Ebecilio 64) – 5 – Failed to make an impact just as the man he replaced did.

Goran Causic (for Jovicic 75) – 5 – Did not have much impact on the game as Red Star started to become overwhelmed.

Veljko Simic (for Ben Nabouhane 80) – N/A – A late sub.

The post Liverpool 4-0 Red Star: Every player rated as Fabinho goes tackle mad on his full Champions League debut for the Reds appeared first on Squawka News.



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