How it stands

PSG scored a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw with Napoli in the group's other game tonight, meaning Liverpool now top the section at its halfway point..

Here are the full-time stats from Anfield...

Should be five.

Sturridge's outside-of-the-boot pass to Firmino is turned superbly around the corner for Mane's run towards the area but the Senegal international knocks his attempt wide of the near post from the left.

Sturridge tries his luck from a similar position to his stunner at Stamford Bridge last month. It's a good effort - though probably heading wide - and Borjan tips it away to be safe.

And nearly a fifth!

Another rapid Liverpool counter-attack sees substitute Lallana break clean through but, finally coming under pressure, the No.20 can't produce a clean finish and Borjan blocks.

Red Star threaten as Jovancic carries the ball through a succession of Liverpool tackles from his own half and tries to release Jovicic to his left - but sublime recovery defending by Gomez denies the away team.

Still the Reds keep attacking and Firmino takes a more direct approach towards a fourth goal with a well-struck blast from outside the box that Borjan bats away.

Great chance for Alexander-Arnold to bag a fourth but the full-back's attempt to lift a shot over the goalkeeper from Fabinho's brilliant diagonal into the box doesn't quite come off. Unlucky.

Fabinho fires a shot wide from 20 yards having been neatly set up by Mane. It's all one way at the moment...

Liverpool have started positively in the very early stages of the second half, exchanging passes in slick fashion with a confident air about them.

Elsewhere in the group

Paris Saint-Germain host Napoli in the section's other game tonight and it's the Italians with the upper hand after 45 minutes, Lorenzo Insigne's goal the difference between the teams.

Another decent opening for the Reds as the pace of their play catches the visitors, with Robertson on the end of this opportunity - the Scot slashes wide when set up on his side, however.

More good passing work by Liverpool from left to right, initially prompted by Fabinho's surging dribble, leads to Shaqiri trying his luck from the edge of the box - but it's straight at Borjan in the Red Star goal.

The Reds are well on top at present and are finding spaces around the Red Star defence with much more regularity than in the opening 20 minutes. They'll be keen to establish a cushion on the scoresheet as soon as possible.

Stat

Since the beginning of last season, Firmino has been directly involved in 19 Champions League goals for Liverpool - 12 goals and seven assists. No other player can match that tally.

Match shots

Shoot... and celebrate.

Liverpool almost double their lead within seconds.

Gomez's sweeping pass out to the right flank sets Alexander-Arnold scampering away and his cross to the edge of the area tees up Firmino - but the No.9's attempted flick into the path of Mane is blocked.

Chance for Red Star.

Ebecilio's corner in from the right flank finds Babic with time and space 10 yards from goal but the Red Star centre-back can only direct the ball high into the Kop. A let-off for Liverpool.

The Reds

And immediately an even better opportunity.

Shaqiri lifts an inviting pass over the visiting defence and Salah controls it brilliantly as it drops out of the air, but Milan Borjan is quickly out to smother the Egyptian.

Liverpool produce a first real sight of goal.

Gomez's determination wins possession in Red Star territory and when Salah turns the ball through towards Firmino and Alexander-Arnold, the former's eventual blast hits the latter and sails wide.

No chances of note so far but Red Star have been composed when they've had the ball and have prevented the Reds from making the fast start that became their trademark in the competition last season.

Analyse this

You can explore the tactical ebb and flow of this tie as it happens with our interactive Opta chalkboard below...

It looks like a 4-2-3-1 formation for Liverpool in the early stages, with Roberto Firmino playing in behind Mohamed Salah and Xherdan Shaqiri right, Sadio Mane left.

Almost time...

We're nearly ready to go here at Anfield. The final strains of You'll Never Walk Alone are ringing around the stadium and the two teams have emerged onto the pitch. Kick-off is moments away.

LFC statement: Main Stand experiences power supply fault

Liverpool Football Club can confirm the Main Stand has experienced a power supply fault which has affected the delivery of catering and other facilities in the Main Stand at this evening's Champions League tie with Red Star Belgrade.

The club apologises for the inconvenience to those supporters who are affected. The club is working to resolve the issue, which affects the Main Stand only.

The Reds' fixture with Red Star is going ahead as planned, with essential matchday operations functioning as normal.

Inside the LFC dressing room

Van Dijk the skipper

With Jordan Henderson out injured and James Milner among the substitutes tonight, Virgil van Dijk will wear the captain's armband for the Reds.

The line-ups

Here's how tonight's visitors line up at Anfield and also the suggested formations provided by Opta...

TEAM NEWS

Jürgen Klopp makes five changes for this evening's game as Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum and Trent Alexander-Arnold all return to the starting line-up.

The injured Jordan Henderson joins Dejan Lovren, James Milner, Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana in making way from the team deployed at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Mane, Salah, Firmino.

Subs: Mignolet, Lovren, Moreno, Milner, Lallana, Sturridge, Origi.

One win in the bag

Liverpool and Red Star Belgrade met at U19 level this afternoon and it was the Reds who came out on top - but only after an injury-time winner in St Helens.

Click here to read the story of the UEFA Youth League clash.

What are the odds?

BetVictor has the answer....

Liverpool - 1/14
Draw - 14/1
Red Star - 33/1

Click here if you fancy a flutter on the game.

Tough love...

Adam Lallana was so delighted to make his first start since March against Huddersfield Town on Saturday, he even enjoyed the aches and pains that come with playing in a Premier League game.

That's according to Jürgen Klopp, who told us: “He loved it, he even loved the pain he felt during the game! That’s how it is after that long period without proper football – he was fine, he just had little cramps in the calf, but it would have been a surprise if he didn’t.

“Apart from that, everything is good. It was a good game for him; it was hard work, not for shining because there was not enough space for that. The whole game was like that, but it was good to see and to have him back.”

Liverpool FC supports Project Servator campaign

Liverpool FC is supporting Merseyside Police’s Project Servator campaign at Anfield stadium.

Project Servator is a new policing tactic used to deter and detect a range of criminal activity, from shoplifting and pickpocketing, to more serious crime including terrorism.

The campaign - launched across Merseyside earlier this year - is designed to increase vigilance within communities, encourage the reporting of suspicious behavior, whilst reassuring the general public.

LFC joins venues across the city, including the Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool ONE, the Albert Dock and the Merseyside Maritime Museum, to work in partnership and encourage reporting of suspicious activity.

For full details on the project and what you're likely to notice around Anfield, click here.

Double header...

It's not just Liverpool's first team in action today - our U19s will also face their Red Star Belgrade counterparts in the UEFA Youth League in St Helens.

You can watch the game live on LFCTV GO from 2.55pm BST. Click here for details on how to claim a month free.

Getting set...

Liverpool trained at Melwood on Tuesday night in front of the media as they geared up for this evening's tie with Red Star. You can browse our gallery in full by clicking here.

Team news

Of more pressing concern than our weather update, Liverpool have a couple of injuries to contend with tonight.

Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita are both ruled out; however, Sadio Mane has returned to training and James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum are fit to play.

Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic named a 21-man travelling squad for the match, with attacking midfielder Marko Marin a notable absentee due to injury.

Left-back Milan Rodic and forward Jonathan Cafu are also unavailable, while central defender Vujadin Savic made the trip but is a fitness doubt.

How it stands...

So, as you can see below, it's pretty congested in Group C after two matchdays.

PSG face off against Napoli in Paris tonight, with the game also getting under way at 8pm BST.

Remember this?

This is our second Champions League game at Anfield this season, having already faced Paris Saint-Germain on home soil in the group stage back in September.

Need a reminder of what happened that night? Watch below...

Sold out

A reminder for supporters that this evening's game at Anfield is sold out - and fans not in possession of a ticket are urged not to travel.

Follow us on GO

Enjoy exclusive build-up to tonight's game, highlights and interviews and much more by joining LFCTV GO - with a free month on offer, too.

Subscribe now and you can follow the Reds as they continue their Premier League and Champions League campaigns, as well as comprehensive coverage of the U23s, U18s and LFC Women.

Click here for more details.

The best birthday present?

Jürgen Klopp has confirmed Fabinho is in contention to start for Liverpool tonight following the injuries to Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita - and the boss is pleased with how the midfielder is adapting to life with the Reds following his summer transfer from AS Monaco.

“He has had to adapt to the style of play and, if you watch Fabinho playing at Monaco, he was full of confidence. You come to a new club and it depends a bit on your personality. He’s not the loudest person on the planet.

“He is more a reserved person, looking, watching, absorbing, and it always takes a little bit more time. But on the pitch, he is back now and that’s good now. All fine."

It was actually Fabinho's birthday on Tuesday - he celebrated turning 25.

Klopp said: “It is his birthday so it would be a nice present [to play]. I didn’t make the starting line-up yet but he has been here a few months now, got used to a few things, and so we will use him.”

We got history...

Are you aware of the impact tonight's opponents had on transforming Liverpool's European fortunes back in the 1970s?

Allow us to fill you in the video below...

Cover stars...

Here's how tonight's official matchday programme looks. Get yours or subscribe online here.

Catching up...

Why not kick off the day by taking a look to see what Jürgen Klopp and Trent Alexander-Arnold had to say as they faced the media in the pre-match press conference at Anfield on Tuesday afternoon?

Watch it again in full for free below.

Good morning!

Welcome to Liverpoolfc.com's matchday blog for this evening's game with Red Star Belgrade at Anfield.

The Reds are out to get their qualification hopes back on track after a last-gasp defeat to Napoli in Italy last time out in Group C.

So, stick with us throughout the day as we bring you all the build-up to the clash, as well as the breaking team news and, of course, the match action and reaction.

Allez, allez, allez...