Topics: UEFA Champions League, Liverpool, Red Star Belgrade, Milan Pavkov
This is not the start that Jurgen Klopp and his men possibly envisaged before kick-off.

Red Star Belgrade instigated an imposing start to Tuesday's UEFA Champions League by grabbing two goals in quick succession. The Serbian club welcomed the Reds to the Rajko Mitic Stadium with the aim of changing its status as bottom dwellers in Group C.

Prior to kick-off, the tension was high with some fans reportedly clashing with security personnel inside the stadium. However, the unpleasant scenes were eclipsed shortly with the home team taking the lead 22 minutes into the proceeding.

A shot at goal from Red Star's El Fardou Ben was averted by Liverpool's Alisson Becker. The resulting corner-kick from former Chelsea midfielder Marko Marin was then directed into the net off Milan Pavkov's head. The 25-year-old striker, as a result, grabbed his first-ever goal in any European competition.

With momentum now of the side of the hosts, Pavkov doubled the lead seven minutes later to stimulate loud roars from the 50,000 home fans present. After brushing off a challenge from Georginio Wijnaldum, the Serbian smashed a shot from over 20 yards into the top corner. 

As a result, the striker became the first player from Serbia to score twice in a Champions League game since Aleksandar Prijovic did so for Legia Warsaw in November 2016. On the other hand, the feat meant that Liverpool, since October 2014, conceded more than once in the first half of a Champions League game. The last time that was seen was in the 3-0 defeat against Real Madrid.