Red Star Belgrade 2-0 Liverpool: Winners & losers as Pavkov double produces CL shock

Red Star Belgrade pulled off one of the great Champions League upsets by inflicting an historic 2-0 defeat on last season’s finalist Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp’s men, downed by a seven-minute Milan Pavkov brace, now find themselves up against it in reaching the knockout phase and can now look forward to mouthwatering duels with Paris Saint-Germain (November 28) and Napoli (December 11).

This was the Reds first visit to Belgrade since falling to a 2-1 defeat against the same opposition in October 1973, and history pretty much repeated itself, as the five-time European champions will travel back to England with their tails between their legs.

As usual, after every match (no matter the profile), there are winners and losers.

Winner: Milan Pavkov

Red Star ended a 26-year absence from European football’s premier club competition when they bested Red Bull Salzburg in the play-offs to earn the right to dine with the continent’s greatest clubs.

The 1991 European Cup winners began with a credible goalless draw at home against Napoli before suffering heavy losses on the road to PSG (7-1) and Liverpool (4-0).

Pavkov’s opener, a 22nd minute bullet header from a Marko Marin corner, was Red Star’s first Champions League home goal since Siniša Mihajlović’s effort against Sampdoria (1-3) in April 1992.

The 24-year-old Serbian marksman would double the hosts lead, and his tally, six minutes later with a stunning long range effort that had Alisson beaten all ends up.

Loser: Adam Lallana

It’s not been easy being Adam Lallana in recent months. A spate of troublesome injuries saw him go from being one of the first names on Klopp’s team sheet to looking from the outside in.

He is now essentially a squad player with the Reds midfield, when everyone is available, having no place for him. That being said, he remains highly thought of, and will play from time to time.

Tonight’s game at the raucous Rajko Mitić Stadium was his fifth of the season and second in European competition. And it was far from his best as the ex-Southamption captain wasn’t at the races.

Aside from casually giving possession away his inability to be alert to danger put his teammates on the backfoot as they were spectacularly punished by Pavkov midway through the first half.

Winner: Marko Marin

Once touted for big things, as he was coming through at boyhood club Borussia Mönchengladbach, it’s fair to say Marko Marin hasn’t reached his full potential.

But if you were to ask him, the 29-year-old former German international would be content with how things have panned out, a playing career that has seen him represent no fewer than nine clubs across eight different countries.

He most notably represented Chelsea, albeit making a grand total of 16 appearances, with Red Star being his latest home and the diminutive playmaker turned back the clocks with a credible performance against last season’s finalist.

Everything positive Red Star were doing, and there was plenty, came through him including creating both of Pavkov’s goals. Marin, not exactly renowned for his workrate, put on a shift that would make his compatriot Klopp proud.

Loser: Daniel Sturridge

Heading into this season Daniel Sturridge, who spent the first half of 2018 on loan at West Brom, knew what his role at Liverpool was.

The 29-year-old striker knowing Klopp’s front three (Salah-Firmino-Mane) is set in stone would fulfil a squad role and effectively be used as an impact substitute.

We’ve already seen this season how invaluable the Englishman has been to the Reds, notably registering a stunning equaliser against former club Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month, but in a rare start this evening he didn’t exactly convince his boss.

It just wasn’t his night. Sturridge, hooked off at half-time for Roberto Firmino, attempted three shots on goal with none of those on target – but his first effort should have found the back of the net.

Winner: Vladan Milojević

Such is the disparity between the clubs no one expected Red Star to get anything from this game especially after the way Liverpool humbled them in England.

But as a wise man once said “I’ve never seen a bag of money score a goal”. This shows there’s no reason why Red Star, more so in front of an incredible home atmosphere, cannot give their more illustrious opposition a bloody nose.

A lot of the credit should go to manager Vladan Milojević who made no fewer than five chances from a fortnight ago. His players followed every instruction laid out by him to the letter and the Serbs were duly rewarded.

In defence they were resolute and by sacrificing possession for a counter-attacking approach they gave Klopp’s men some uncomfortable questions. It wasn’t glamorous but it was further proof what shedding blood, sweat and tears can lead to.

Loser: Liverpool’s travelling support

Since the beginning of last season, and before tonight’s game, Liverpool played no fewer than nine matches in Europe away from Anfield.

Of those away trips Klopp’s side would register just four wins (including a hardfought 2-1 triumph at soon-to-be English champions Manchester City).

This latest setback extends their run of losses on the road to four – which counts the 2018 Champions League final even though it was played on neutral ground – and though in the wider picture a loss doesn’t necessarily dampen the mood of their legion of supporters in attendance everyone loves a victory.

It’s been a while since the Reds boisterous followers enjoyed seeing their side win away from home in Europe and this is another they will want to forget in a hurry.

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