Liverpool vs Red Star Belgrade player ratings

Liverpool bounced back from their defeat in Naples three weeks ago to thump Red Star Belgrade 4-0 at Anfield.

Roberto Firmino opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Mohamed Salah doubled the lead just before half-time and then reached a half-century of goals for Liverpool from the penalty spot shortly after the break.

The hosts were awarded a second penalty but with Salah having been substituted, Mane stepped up to take it on, only to see his effort saved before missing the rebound. He did score shortly afterwards, though to cap a convincing win.

Here’s how Jurgen Klopp’s men rated:

Alisson: He had virtually nothing to do but the clean sheets just keep piling up for the Liverpool goalkeeper 6/10

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Recalled to the side after consecutive Premier League games on the bench, the 20-year-old was his usual buccaneering self on Liverpool’s right-hand side and almost scored with a lobbed effort in the second half 7/10

Joe Gomez: Restored to the heart of defence after two games at right-back, Gomez was assured on the ball and dominated his opponents physically in the air, winning all but one of his nine aerial duels and completing the most passes on the pitch 7/10

Virgil Van Dijk: Handed the captain’s armband in Jordan Henderson’s absence, Van Dijk probably won’t ever have as comfortable a Champions League evening as this one 6/10

Andrew Robertson: Scotland’s captain helped himself to a fourth assist of the season with a trademark cut-back from the byline for Firmino’s opener and provided a constant threat down the left flank all evening. Taken off late on for Moreno to a standing ovation 8/10

Fabinho: At long last afforded a first start for Liverpool, the Brazilian enjoyed a solid outing at the base of Liverpool’s midfield, stopping Red Star’s counter-attacks before they had the chance to develop 7/10

Georginio Wijnaldum: A fixture in Klopp’s midfield this season, the Dutchman was industrious and enthusiastic as ever but didn’t have too much of an impact on the game 6/10

Xherdan Shaqiri: Could Shaqiri be the answer to Liverpool’s creativity issues in central midfield? He sliced the Red Star defence open to find Robertson in the build-up to Firmino’s goal and then assisted the second for Salah 8/10

Mohamed Salah: Missed a one-on-one early on but atoned for that with a confident finish on his weaker right foot late on in the first half before dispatching a penalty down the middle in the second. Scored his 49th and 50th goals for the club 8/10

Sadio Mane: Brought back in after breaking a thumb, Mane won his side a soft penalty after going down rather easily under a flailing elbow from Filip Stojkovic and then missed a spot-kick himself later on. Eventually, found the net with a toe-poke 7/10

Roberto Firmino: Ended a six-game goal drought inside 20 minutes with a smart finish, albeit assisted by a deflection. After dropping down to the bench against Huddersfield, Firmino had a point to prove and he seems to be recovering his form 7/10

Substitutes:

Adam Lallana: Ran out of steam as he raced through one-on-one on goal only to see his effort blocked by the onrushing Milan Borjan 5/10

Daniel Sturridge: Had a huge impact from the start against PSG in Liverpool’s first continental game of the campaign and played his part in this one too with the assist for Mane’s late strike 6/10

Alberto Moreno: Little time to make an impact but did lash a highly optimistic shot into row Z in stoppage time N/A