Pogba is all smiles
Sadio Mane swung in a cross that Sturridge turned over from five yards. Sturridge would be substituted at half-time.
And his miss would prove costly when Marko Marin’s corner was powered in by Red Star team-mate Pavkov in the 22nd minute.
Two men who did not feature at Anfield were running the show for Red Star and the noise level somehow went up another notch.
Just seven minutes later, the lead was doubled as sloppy play allowed Pavkov to gain possession and brush off Georginio Wijnaldum before hammering in a second goal from 25 yards.
Not bad for Red Star’s third-choice forward (celebrating, below) who cost no more than £100,000.
Liverpool’s hopes of getting something here was looking impossible against a side who had not conceded more than once at home in 18 months. Lallana had a header deflected wide, but they trudged off at the break after one of the worst first-half displays under German boss Klopp. A Robertson cross hit the Red Star bar after the restart, but it was not until the 70th minute that Liverpool finally had a shot on target. Mo Salah’s strike was pushed away by keeper Milan Borjan and from the resulting corner the Egypt frontman also hit the outside of a post. Defender Virgil van Dijk (inset, left) also looped a header over, but in truth Liverpool were without their usual attacking verve on a night to forget. They now face a trip to Paris before hosting Napoli at Anfield and it will not be an easy path to the knockout stages. PAUL POGBA insists he is happy at Manchester
United and has no regrets about his move to Old Trafford.
Pogba returns to his former club Juventus today for the first time since his £89million move in 2016.
The France World Cup winner said: “I know United, in the last few years, have not been at the top, but I came back just to help the team try to get back to the top.
“I don’t regret it at all. I’m very happy to come back and wear the shirt and I’m sure we will get back to our best.”
Although Pogba won the League Cup and Europa League in his first season back at United, Jose Mourinho’s side have failed to challenge for the
Premier League and Champions League. For all the latest news see www.mirror.co.uk/sport JUVENTUS v MAN UTD
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