Liverpool player ratings v Red Star

OPINION

Liverpool maintained their excellent form when they hosted Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade at Anfield on Wednesday night in the Champions League.

The Reds went into the half time break with a 2-0 lead after Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah both scored to ensure Jurgen Klopp delivered a positive talk when they went back into the dressing room.

However given that the Reds came out looking fired up in the second half, you feel the German manager must have shouted at them instead due to expecting more from them.

It didn’t take long for a motivated Reds side to extend the lead as Salah took his opportunity to score from the spot to make it 3-0 after the club were awarded a penalty much to Red Star’s anger.

While the Egyptian winger scored from the spot when the Reds were awarded another penalty, Sadio Mane stepped up and couldn’t convert it.

Yet Mane ensured he was leaving Anfield with a goal on Wednesday as he scored the Reds’ fourth after Daniel Sturridge put him through on goal.

Live 4 Liverpool have rated every single Liverpool player v Red Star below from their 4-0 win, with a sparingly-used player taking the MOTM award.

Goalkeeper and defence

Alisson Becker – 7 – Hard to fault, hard to praise, but looked alert anytime the ball came anywhere near his goal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8 – Blocked Fabinho’s shot in the early stages and a little sloppy in possession. However then came to live and constantly flew down the wing.

Joe Gomez – 8 – Composed when called into action and his passing was very neat. He may have not had much defensive work to do, but he made a memorable impression.

Virgil van Dijk – 8 – Calm, assured and dealt with the little danger he had to.

Andy Robertson – 9 – Played a massive part in the opening goal as he gifted Roberto Firmino the perfect opportunity to score. Robertson looked a threat throughout the first-half, was an absolute sensation.

Midfield

Georginio Wijnaldum – 8 – Did all the dirty work that won’t see him win the headlines, but another very good performance by the Dutch intentional.

Fabinho – 10 – Grew into the game and improved as it went on and was a vital player in the Reds achieving another win. Fabinho showed why Klopp chose to sign him and fans will be very excited by his display. The sparingly used player, this was only his fifth appearance of the season, deserved MOTM as he clearly dictated the game through his passing.

Xherdan Shaqiri – 8 – Worked hard to ensure his side got up and running against Red Star, he is a live-wire who will drag the Reds to victory if he needs to.

Attack

Mohamed Salah – 8 – Great control in the 11th minute that gifted him an opportunity to test the keeper, probably should have done slightly better with his effort. Was getting chance after chance, due to his own skills in the first-half, but just couldn’t take advantage of them. That was until the very end of the first-half where he proved if you keep trying, you will be rewarded. Also smashed a penalty home in the second half.

Sadio Mane – 7 – His no look pass to Salah in the first-half was beautiful, shame his teammate was flagged offside. Looked threatening every time he had the ball in the first-half. Missed his chance to score from the penalty spot, before scoring. However should have got more.

Roberto Firmino – 8 – Went close in the early stages of the first-half, lively. Took his chance to score like an expert as he fired the ball past a helpless keeper.