Red Star vs Liverpool Preview | Double Injury Boost | Expected Line-Ups | Prediction

Liverpool will look to take another step towards qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League when they take on Red Star Belgrade in Serbia this evening [kick-off 5.55pm]. 

The Merseysiders warmed up for the game with a hard fought 1-1 draw at Arsenal on Saturday night with Alexandre Lacazette cancelling out James Milner’s strike to leave them sitting third in the Premier League table but Liverpool know it’s European matters at hand today.

Jurgen Klopp’s side currently sit top of Group C on six points after thrashing Red Star Belgrade 4-0 in the reverse fixture at Anfield last month but the Reds boss knows it will be a much tougher task this evening in front of the hostile Marakana crowd.

Red Star are bottom of the group on just one point and have virtually no chance of qualifying for the knockout stages ahead of Liverpool, Napoli or PSG so coach Vladan Milojevic has admitted they are playing for pride this evening.

Team news

Liverpool have decided to leave Xherdan Shaqiri – who’s of Kosovar-Albanian descent- at home to avoid any distractions amid fears of a hostile welcome from the passionate Serbian home support.

Naby Keita is back in contention after recovering from a hamstring injury while Dejan Lovren is also set to return after missing the Arsenal match with a minor muscle issue.

However, Jordan Henderson is still working his way back to full fitness from a hamstring injury so he’s on the sidelines along with long-term absentee Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Red Star are expected to be without Vujadin Savic due to injury but Marko Marin is set to return to the squad.

Expected Line-Ups

Red Star XI: Borjan; Stojkovic, Degenek, Babic, Gobeljic; Krsticic, Jovicic; Ben Nabouhane, Ebecilio, Srnic; Boakye

Prediction

Red Star 1-2 Liverpool: Red Star have lost just one of their last 14 home games in European competition and they held Napoli to a 0-0 draw earlier in the competition so Liverpool will know this isn’t going to be straightforward. However, if the Reds can silence the home support I think they’ll have enough quality to bring home the three points.