Top 3 Embarrassing defeats that English football clubs have suffered in European competitions

Since 2010, English clubs haven't really performed well in European competitions. That is down to many reasons, but no reason is sufficient enough to describe some of the embarrassing losses that they have suffered since the turn of the century.

Consider this season for example, Red Star Belgrade beating Liverpool 2-0 and Bate beating Arsenal 1-0. These losses can really serve as a dampener for the fans and can be really hurtful. What really strikes the eye is that, despite so much competition in the Premier League where no club can afford a half hearted performance, these kinds of defeats in European competitions keep coming up every season.

So, in this article, we discuss 3 of the most humiliating defeats English football clubs have suffered since the 2000's.

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#3 Red Star Belgrade 2-0 Liverpool (2018/19 Champions League)

Red Star Belgrade with the help of Milan Pavkov clinched a victory to remember

This defeat against Red Star Belgrade was clearly one of the most humiliating defeats that Liverpool have suffered under Jurgen Klopp. This was an important match for Liverpool as a win here would have given them an advantage over their group rivals Napoli and Paris-Saint Germain for the round of 16 spots.

Before the start of this match, everyone considered this as an easy win for Liverpool, but Red Star had other ideas. Belgrade striker Milan Pavkov gave the hosts an early lead and just after 7 minutes, he scored his second to double the advantage.

Liverpool with 80 percent possession, tried hard to breach the defense of Red Star Belgrade, but it was their night. The hosts held on to their lead and in the process gave us an upset to remember. Although Liverpool lost all their away games in the group stage, but they still managed to qualify for the round of 16.

#2 Maccabi Haifa 3-0 Manchester United (2002/03 Champions League)

Maccabi Haifa pulled off an upset to remember

Manchester United came into this match with a booked ticket for the knockout stages of the Champions League and everyone expected some young players to start in this match but that was not the case. Sir Alex Ferguson named a strong XI which had the likes of Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer starting.

Maccabi Haifa before this match showed that they were capable of an upset as they also beat Olympiakos 3-0 before this, but beating the Red Devils was an achievement in itself. It was thumping win for a club like Maccabi Haifa and one they would cherish for a long time.

The hosts put in a performance to remember as they stroked 3 past Manchester United and a certain striker named Yakubu was among the goalscorers and among the top performers on the day.

#1 Midtjylland 2-1 Manchester United (2015/16 Europa League)

FC Midtjylland v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Round of 32: First Leg

It was the knockout stages of the 2015/16 Europa League and it was the first leg of the round of 32. Manchester United traveled to Denmark to face a side they wouldn't have known before this match.

Manchester United went into the lead with a goal from Memphis Depay and it felt like it was going to be another easy win for the Red Devils, but what followed was entirely unscripted. Pione Sisto drew the home side level and they scored the second almost 14 minutes from time to give Midtjylland their greatest triumph ever.

But in the second leg at Old Trafford, Manchester United beat Midtjylland 5-1 and a certain striker named Marcus Rashford burst into the limelight and what has followed since then is for everyone to see.