Liverpool vs Red Star Belgrade: Gini Wijnaldum ‘prompted purrs’ but who was off?

Liverpool strolled to a 4-0 win over Red Star Belgrade during their Champions League Group C clash in a night that Gini Wijnaldum excelled.

Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah (x2) hit the back of the net for the home side as the brushed aside a poor Red Star outfit.

With Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson out injured, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp opted to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation and selected Wijnaldum and Fabinho as the midfield two.

And the Liverpool Echo wrote that the Dutch international had an excellent night. The local newspaper awarded him with an 8/10 match rating, and added that Wijnaldum ‘prompted purrs from the crowd’ with his close control.

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The Mirror, Express and Independent all agreed that the former Newcastle United man had a solid showing, giving him 7/10 all round.

Firmino started as the no. 10 in Klopp’s new formation, but struggle to get into the game – according to the Echo. They said the Brazilian was ‘completely out of sorts’ as the game started, but grew into it enough to be handed a 7/10.

The Mirror agreed with that rating, but argued that the ex-Hoffenheim man had some moments of techniquel brilliance – while the Independent observed that Firmino appeared to be enjoying his new starting position.

Only the Express offered a higher award, going with an 8/10 and labelling the forward as the tormentor of Red Star.

Klopp managed to start all four of his best attackers (the Fab Three plus Xherdan Shaqiri) for the first time this season, and Shaqiri had another good game. Whether he can keep his place in the side remains to be seen, but the Swiss international is certainly doing everything he can.

Liverpool take on Cardiff City in the Premier League on Saturday and all eyes will be on the team sheet to see if those who played so well in the Champions League manage to keep their place.