No Excuses for Anything Less Than a Win
Liverpool head into matchweek four of the Champions League atop of their group and with a solid chance of progression.
The disappointment that some players may be feeling about the weekend’s result against Arsenal needs to be forgotten and moved on from.
Last time Liverpool faced Red Star, Klopp’s side strolled to a 4-0 victory, and the German will be looking for a similar performance in Serbia.
Red Star Belgrade – Team News and Predicted Lineup
Red Star are a completely different side when they play at home because the atmosphere that the fans create inside the stadium inspires the team to play above their level.
This is how they were able to get a draw from Napoli, who are the only side to have beaten Liverpool in the Champions League so far. Although, PSG were able to thrash them, so once the first goal goes in, the floodgates can open.
As fans will remember from the game at Anfield, Red Star play physical football and that will be even more evident on their home patch. Liverpool will need to be patient, but potent, as they try to silence the home fans.
Liverpool – Team News and Predicted Lineup
The biggest news out of the Liverpool camp is the Xherdan Shaqiri hasn’t travelled with the squad. This is disappointing as it sets a bad precedence. Sure, there’d been security warnings directed the Shaqiri stemming from his actions at the World Cup, but by all reports, the player wanted to go, so he should’ve played.
Elsewhere, Lovren missed the Arsenal game with a minor injury but should return for this game. This would take Trent out of the spotlight after his nightmare against Arsenal, while Gomez would move to right-back.
The midfield could be a combination of many players. Adam Lallana will surely be asking to start so that he can prove he deserves a more permanent role, and the same could be said of Sturridge up top.
Pre-Game Analysis
Klopp’s formation and lineup will be under scrutiny in this match as he has a number of difficult decisions to make.
Fabinho, for example, should arguably be dropped after his performance against Arsenal, but then again, he’ll get better with more game time, and it’s difficult to imagine a more appropriate match for the Brazilian to be used in.
Whatever the lineup and formation, Klopp will look to silence the home fans by playing the Serbians off the park from the get-go.
Prediction
A win would certainly make Liverpool’s path to progression much easier, and depending on the result in Naples between Napoli and PSG, it could make the top spot of the group much more attainable.
Liverpool most likely won’t be able to win by as big a margin as last time because Red Star are far better at home, but the result should be the same.
It may take some time to break down the Serbs’ stubborn defence, but Liverpool will ultimately walk away as 2-0 winners.
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Cieren O’Dea
Red Or Dead Liverpool FC Football Blog – 06/11/2018
Red Or Dead 
Agree with the 2-0 there but im expecting a ruff old game tbh . Ive not checked properly but I imagine red star could get knocked out with certain results tonight
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Didn’t see the comment before the game, but it would appear we were both right. It was a rough game, and it was 2-0… What a disaster. Player ratings will be out much later after I get back from work. Woke up at 3am for that, now I’m off to work… Cheers Reds
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Not all over yet 2 draws would be enough cause it’s on head to head and we have beaten psg . If we lose away at psg we need a win at home to Napoli …. starting to look pants tbh ..all eyes on Red Star v psg
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