LIVERPOOL, England -- Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Champions League as they breezed past Red Star Belgrade 4-0 on Wednesday night.
Mohamed Salah scored twice at Anfield to take his Liverpool goal tally to 50 after Roberto Firmino gave the hosts the lead. Sadio Mane then recovered from missing a penalty to add Liverpool's fourth.
Positives
At £13 million, Xherdan Shaqiri could very well be this season's best value-for-money signing in all of Europe. Everyone knew about Shaqiri's attacking qualities but few could imagine the levels of graft he's bringing to this Liverpool team. His work off the ball -- tracking back and finding vital pockets of space -- were hugely significant in this win.
Negatives
When doing his post-match review, Klopp will be concerned about Liverpool's sluggish start. They might have been punished against a better side. It was only after Firmino's opener that Liverpool established control.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- This was a professional performance from Liverpool even if they did start slowly. Klopp took the game seriously and adopted an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation to break down a resolute opponent. There were signs that Liverpool were beginning to click in the final third in ways we haven't really seen this season.
Player ratings: (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Alisson, 6: A spectator for pretty much the entire game. He was constantly stretching and moving around to keep warm as the action was at the other end of the pitch.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 6: A decent outing from the 20-year-old after returning to the starting XI following two games on the bench. He could have scored from a wonderful through-ball by Fabinho, too.
DF Joe Gomez, 6: Back at centre-half and gave the ball away a number of times in dangerous areas. He had little to do on what was his ninth Champions League appearance.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 6: Captain for the night and led by example when snuffing out any sense of danger.
DF Andrew Robertson, 7: It was a night where Robertson's main duty was to support the attack. Robertson did just that as he provided the assist to Firmino's goal, finding the Brazilian free in the penalty area from the touchline.
MF Fabinho, 7: He was caught out a few times when in possession but the Brazilian performed his defensive-midfield duties brilliantly on just his second start in a Liverpool shirt. He ventured forward more than Red Star probably expected, too.
MF Georginio Wijnaldum, 7: He continued his excellent form with another tidy performance. Wijnaldum has been Liverpool's most consistent player this season.
FW Roberto Firmino, 6: Still crucial to Liverpool despite playing in a No. 10 role. His goal means he has directly contributed 10 goals in his eight Champions League matches at Anfield.
FW Xherdan Shaqiri, 9: Shaqiri has played a starring role in three of Liverpool's last five goals. This time playing as a right forward, for the opening goal he tracked back to win possession before delivering a perfectly weighted pass for Robertson to cross. His delicate touch then allowed Salah to go through on goal. The versatile Swiss continues to make a positive early impression as a Liverpool player.
FW Mohamed Salah, 8: A very good performance from the Egyptian as he led to Liverpool's line competently in spite of Red Star's heavy-handed approach. It's now three goals in two games for Salah, who will hope this now kickstarts a goal-scoring spree similar to that of last season's.
FW Sadio Mane, 6: After seeing his penalty effort saved brilliantly, Mane bounced back to score his first goal for Liverpool since Sep. 1. Although he won Liverpool's first penalty, in truth it was an unusually quiet outing from the speedster as he made his comeback from surgery on his left thumb.
Substitutes
FW Adam Lallana, 6: Lallana replaced Shaqiri and will rue to chance he missed late on. The 30-year-old last found the back of the net in the 2016-17 season.
FW Daniel Sturridge, N/R: He continues to thrive as a playmaker, crafting the assist for Mane's goal and then playing Lallana clean through.
DF Alberto Moreno, NR: The Spaniard looked to get forward as much as possible against a tired and beaten opposition.