F.K. Red Star Belgrade vs Liverpool F.C. – Match Preview

Liverpool travel to the Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade tomorrow to take on Red Star Belgrade for the return leg and matchday five of Champions League group C. The Reds currently occupy pole position in the group and no doubt want to keep it that way. Obviously, the hosts will have other ideas.

Overview

Despite being obvious favourites for this tie, this is a game Liverpool can not afford to lose. With two points separating first and third places, this is verging on must-win status.

Tomorrow’s opponents prop up the group C table with just the one point. Mathematically they have everything to play for. Realistically, they probably don’t. The Reds battled for a draw at the weekend against in-form Arsenal so they will be keen to record a win.

Champions League Press Conference with Jurgen Klopp & @andrewrobertso5 at Rajko Mitic Stadium tonight. #LFC #UCL #LIVRSB #RSBLIV pic.twitter.com/3Gx5yQQWtG

— LFC Photo (@LFCphoto) November 5, 2018

Red Star, on the other hand, are currently nine points ahead of the rest of the pack in the Serbian SuperLiga. Sixth-placed Proleter Novi Sad were powerless to stop the leaders strolling to a 0-2 victory. It’s clear, however, that their current league lead and a hefty goal difference of 32 will not bother their visitors too much tomorrow.

Team News

Liverpool are still waiting on Jordan Henderson who missed the weekend’s game with a hamstring injury. Hopefully, he’ll be fit for the next game. Dejan Lovren has an “unknown” injury according to Teamfeed (interesting one that) but word is he will travel. Meanwhile, Rhian Brewster and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are long-term absentees. The former is pencilled in to return in early December.

The official LFC website said this morning that Xherdan Shaqiri will NOT travel despite being fit. This follows apparent concern for the Kosovo-born Swiss national’s safety. The 27 year-old courted controversy during the World Cup finals while celebrating a goal in a fashion the Serbians found offensive. I’m also interested to see if Fabinho will start given his less than convincing display at Arsenal.

https://twitter.com/finalwhi/status/1059378327608270854?s=21

The hosts, on the other hand, have a virtually fully-fit squad. The only exceptions being Srdjan Babic who was ill, and Richmond Boakye who is suffering from the same ailment as Lovren – unknown. Didn’t know this was contagious.

Betting Odds

Contrary to the previous match preview, I would now consider Red Star to be the whipping boys of the group. All due respect to them but I’m sure even they would admit that being up against Liverpool, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain doesn’t really leave them much hope of progressing from this group.

Following the 4-0 drubbing at Anfield, the Reds must be nailed on certs for this one. Given the often partisan Serbian crowd, I don’t see the winning margin being that big. However, you need your head checking if you don’t put this banker on your accumulator.

In the following UCL tracker you can see the latest odds. Liverpool remain at +700 (7-1) as fifth placed favourites for the competition and I don’t see that changing tomorrow.

Summary

Despite an inevitable partisan crowd, I’d expect Liverpool to be three points better off tomorrow. However, as grandma used to say, nothing is guaranteed in life so this is no foregone conclusion.

This is the tunnel the Liverpool players will have to walk down to face Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/T8lJB9AqyI

— Mootaz Chehade (@MHChehade) November 4, 2018

I don’t do predictions, but if I did, I’d say Liverpool will win 0-2 on the night and Fabinho will be too scared to walk down the tunnel.

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