Champions League 2018/19: Liverpool vs Red Star Belgrade, 4 things to know ahead of the game

Liverpool head back into Champions League action as they host Serbian side Red Star Belgrade at Anfield tonight.

Jurgen Klopp's side, currently standing at second place in Group C, will look to turn their Champions League fortunes around after their late 1-0 defeat to Napoli in their last group match. Liverpool will hope the home advantage works out for the team and will look forward to replicating last year's European exploits.

Red Star Belgrade, on the other hand, will look to secure their first Champions League win this campaign after having previously drawn to Napoli and lost to Paris Saint-Germain.

Here, we take a look at five facts you need to know about the two teams ahead of the game:

#1 Mohamed Salah is two goals away from his 50th Liverpool goal

SSC Napoli v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Group C

Egyptian ace Mohamed Salah is only two strikes away from reaching the landmark of 50 goals for Liverpool.

While the Golden Boot winner has netted 50 goals in English football, two of those goals were for Chelsea.

The forward's match-winner during Liverpool's victory over Huddersfield Town on Saturday marked his 50th goal in English football and his 48th for the Merseyside club.

If things go well for Salah tonight, he may well be on course to achieve the milestone sooner rather than later.

#2 Liverpool will meet Red Star Belgrade for the first time in 45 years

The two clubs had locked horns 45 years ago in the European Cup second round during the 1973-74 campaign.

Red Star Belgrade emerged victorious twice, winning each leg 2-1 to eliminate the Reds from the competition.

The first leg took place in Belgrade 45 years ago on this day. The return leg, on the other hand, marked the last time Bill Shankly managed Liverpool in Europe.

#3 No away supporters as a faction of Red Star Belgrade fans are linked to decade-long violence

Fans of Red Star Belgrade

Anfield will not be seeing any Red Star Belgrade supporters tonight as governing body UEFA have hit the Serbian club's fans with a two-match ban after a section of them invaded a pitch and set off fireworks during their game against RB Salzburg last month.

The Reds therefore have the opportunity to fill Anfield completely with home supporters.

The Merseyside club has taken advantage of this and has decided to offer a portion of Red Star Belgrade's unused tickets to young fans, aged between 17 and 21, who have never been to a Champions League game.

Chief executive officer Peter Moore confirmed this saying, "Engaging young fans and giving them the chance to come to Anfield has been a priority for us in recent seasons."

"The fact that we have the away allocation to use for home supporters is a unique opportunity at Anfield and we wanted to find a way for young fans to benefit from this additional allocation."

"We all know how special European nights are at Anfield so we’re delighted to make some of these tickets available to young supporters who may be experiencing it for their first time."

Merseyside police have announced that they will be working closely with their Serbian counterparts to ensure that no UEFA sanctions are violated.

#4 Only player to have played for both Liverpool and Red Star Belgrade is Marko Grujic

Tranmere Rovers v Liverpool - Pre Season Friendly

Midfielder Marko Grujic was Jurgen Klopp's first Liverpool signing since his appointment in October 2015.

Liverpool signed the then 19-year-old from Red Star Belgrade for £5.1m in a four-year deal.

Speaking of the midfielder at the time, Klopp said, "He's a good boy, a young boy but plays an important role at the moment at Red Star, who are the best team in Serbia."

"He's a tall boy, but quick and good at technical things. He can play passes and can dribble."