UCL 2018/2019: 5 reasons why Liverpool lost to Red Star Belgrade 

#1 Sturridge failed to make the most of his opportunity

Daniel Sturridge was poor for Liverpool

Daniel Sturridge is a player of undoubted quality, and on his day, the England international can hold his own with strikers anywhere in the world.

However, injuries have been unkind to the 29-year-old, and bar the 2013/2014 season where he showed his abilities alongside Suarez to lead Liverpool's ultimately fruitless quest for league glory, Sturridge has not had a full season without injury interruptions in his career.

He spent half of last season on loan to West Brom, and failed to stop the club's relegation to the Championship, as he was rarely fit to contribute his part to the cause.

He returned to the club at the start of the season, and despite reports linking him with a move away from Liverpool, Sturridge was adamant to remain and fight for his spot at the club.

The form of Salah, Mane and Firmino meant that displacing them from the starting lineup was always going to be a tall order, but Sturridge has largely done OK from the bench and scored a stunning equalizer against Chelsea in the Premier League to make a case for his inclusion in the starting 11.

His wish was granted, as he was preferred to lead the line in place of Roberto Firmino, but the Englishman failed to make the most of his opportunity, and he wasted the best opportunity Liverpool carved out in the match when he somehow blasted over from just six yards in the first half when it seemed easier to score than miss.

That miss came back to haunt Liverpool just moments later, as Pavkov gave Sturridge some lessons in finishing to put Belgrade ahead.

Sturridge has been agitating for a starting spot, and on a night when he got his wish, he did not make the most of his opportunity.