Klopp flops can’t handle the heat

JURGEN KLOPP wanted Liverpool to cool the atmosphere with their football.

But instead his Kop stars froze in the red-hot and raucous Rajko Mitic Stadium last night.

Red Star Belgrade stunned the visitors with a performance that was a world away from their efforts at Anfield just two weeks ago.

Liverpool’s display was different too – but in a far more negative way.

Milan Pavkov’s double for the hosts handed them their first win in European club football’s leading competition since 1992 and put a dent in Liverpool’s last-16 hopes.

In fact, they face a tough task to progress out of Group C ahead of Napoli and Paris St-Germain after their second defeat on the road in Europe this season.

A win here for the Reds would have put them in control, but it is now firmly in the balance.

Last night’s defeat meant they lost three European Cup away games in a row for the first time since 1979, including last season’s semi-final second-leg loss at Roma.

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson had warned they would face a “different costly when Marko Marin’s corner was powered in by Pavkov in the 22nd minute.

Just seven minutes later the lead was doubled as sloppy play allowed Pavkov to gain possession and brush Georginio Wijnaldum off before he blasted home from 25 yards.

Not bad for Red Star’s third-choice striker.

Liverpool trudged off at the break after one of the worst first-half displays under Klopp.

The second half was little better and it took until the 70th minute before the visitors managed a shot on target.

Mo Salah’s strike was pushed away and from the corner the Egyptian ace hit the post – but in truth Liverpool lacked their usual attacking verve.

They face a trip to Paris before hosting Napoli at Anfield and it is no easy path to the knockout stages.

RED STAR BELGRADE (4-2-3-1): Borjan; Stojovic (Gobeljic 59), Savic, Degenek, Rodic; Krsticic (Jovicic 72), Jovancic; Ben, Marin (Causic 64), Srnic; Pavkov. Subs: Popovic, Babic, Stoiljkovic, Simic.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; AlexanderArnold (Gomez 46), Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Milner, Wijnaldum, Lallana (Origi 79); Mane, Sturridge (Firmino 46), Salah. Subs: Mignolet, Fabinho, Keita, Moreno.

Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain).