Jurgen Klopp has explained that the reason for leaving winger Xherdan Shaqiri out of the travelling squad is because Liverpool only want to focus on football and not be distracted by politics.
Although a Swiss international, Shaqiri is an ethnic Albanian from Kosovo, the BBC reports. Kosovo was the scene of a Serbian crackdown on the Albanian population which ended with Nato military intervention in 1999.
After scoring for Switzerland against Serbia at this summer’s World Cup, Shaqiri was fined by Fifa for his goal celebration - a hand gesture of a double-headed eagle which symbolises the Albanian flag.
On Shaqiri’s absence for the clash in Belgrade, Klopp said: “We are Liverpool FC, a big club, a football team but we don’t have any message further than that. We have no political message, absolutely not. We want the focus to be on a great game of football, free from anything else.
See more
“We are keen to be respectful and keen to avoid any distractions that would take focus away from a 90-minute-plus contest that is important for football and only football. So for that reason, Shaq is not involved and he accepts and understands this. Shaq is our player, we love him, and he will play for us a lot of times, but not on Tuesday.
“I have heard so many wonderful things about the city of Belgrade, and the country of Serbia as a whole, from friends and colleagues who’ve visited before, so now I’m really looking forward to taking Liverpool there for a great game of Champions League football.”
Team news and possible starting XIs
Liverpool team news
As well as Shaqiri Liverpool are also without captain Jordan Henderson and right-back Nathaniel Clyne for the fixture at the Rajko Mitic Stadium (5.55pm kick-off). However, defender Dejan Lovren and midfielder Naby Keita have travelled with the squad and are available.
Red Star team news
Red Star midfielder Marko Marin, formerly of Chelsea, returns to the squad after he was ruled out of the 4-0 loss against Liverpool at Anfield on 24 October.
Goalkeeper Milan Borjan could feature despite missing Red Star’s league match against Proleter Novi Sad on Sunday. If Borjan is ruled out Zoran Popovic will play in goal. Striker Richmond Boakye is an injury doubt.
Possible starting XIs
How the teams could line up tonight at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, according to 90min.
Red Star Belgrade possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Popovic; Stojkovic, Degenek, Savic, Rodic; Jovicic, Krsticic; Ben Nabouhane, Ebecilio, Marin; Pavkov
Liverpool possible starting XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Lovren, Moreno; Lallana, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Sturridge, Mane
TV channel and live stream details
Red Star vs. Liverpool will be shown live on BT Sport 3 with coverage starting at 5.15pm. BT Sport subscribers can also watch a live stream of the match via the broadcaster’s website and app.
Matchday four fixtures and TV guide
Tuesday 6 November (8pm UK time unless stated)
Group A: Monaco vs. Club Brugge (5.55pm, live on BT Sport 1); Atletico Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund (live on BT Sport Extra 2)
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
register for free
Already have an account? Sign in
Subscribe to The Week
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Subscribe & Save
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Unlimited website access is included with Digital and Print + Digital subscriptions. Create an accountwith the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Today's political cartoons - April 21, 2024
5 carefully selected cartoons about the Trump-Daniels jury selection process
Loire Valley Lodges review: sleep, feast and revive in treetop luxury
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
Novak Djokovic’s dad and the pro-Putin ‘Night Wolves’
Has Liverpool been weakened by Jürgen Klopp’s ‘seven-year itch’?
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
