Champions League Group C resumes with the opening encounter of a double-header between the clubs, who locked horns in the European Cup second round back in 1973.
Then, Red Star were victorious, winning both legs 2-1 to eliminate Bill Shankly’s Reds.
But how will this reunion pan out and where is the game on Merseyside likely to be decided? We have taken a look at three potentially pivotal duels…
Virgil van Dijk v Richmond Boakye
There has been one constant in Liverpool’s remarkable run of nine successive Premier League clean sheets at Anfield across last season and this: Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman’s formidable presence was on show throughout the Reds’ surge to the Champions League final, too, and his influence will clearly be crucial to their aspirations in this season’s tournament.
While the unpredictability of Red Star’s selection in attack means even Jürgen Klopp has ‘no clue’ who his opposite number, Vladan Milojevic, will field, Richmond Boakye can certainly make a strong claim to be chosen for this tie.
The No.99 was on the mark twice at the weekend as the Serbian Super Liga leaders recorded a 3-1 home victory over FK Rad.
Back with Red Star for a second spell, the 25-year-old scored 39 goals for the club during his first and has wasted no time in reproducing that form in red and white, with five strikes in four league appearances this term.
Keeping Boakye at bay will therefore be high on the agenda for Van Dijk and co.
Roberto Firmino v Milos Degenek
Roberto Firmino’s last-minute intervention against Paris Saint-Germain ensured Liverpool’s opening Group C tie will take its place in the history of memorable European nights at Anfield.
Just days after suffering an eye injury at Tottenham Hotspur, the Brazil international rose from the bench to settle the clash in the hosts’ favour – 3-2 – and give the Reds an early fillip in the section.
Firmino was a second-half substitute last weekend, too, entering the action at Huddersfield Town after 76 minutes, but will hope the Champions League pedigree he proved in 2017-18 gets him the nod here.
If so, the No.9 can expect to be faced with Australia international Milos Degenek.
An unused substitute in each of the Socceroos’ three World Cup matches in Russia last summer, the centre-back gained experience in the German second tier and Japanese top flight before joining Red Star for the new season.
He and his fellow defenders will be aiming to produce a rearguard performance more akin with the one that frustrated Napoli in Belgrade last month than that undone six times by PSG.
James Milner v Nenad Krsticic
The assist king in last season’s Champions League, James Milner is ready to participate in this game having shrugged off an injury and will captain Liverpool in the confirmed absence of Jordan Henderson if chosen.
Milner’s attitude and ability continue to marry perfectly with Klopp’s preferred style of pressing, and rapid transitions from midfield could be a factor in unlocking Red Star on Wednesday night.
Nobody on the pitch made more tackles than the Reds’ No.7 in the Anfield clash with PSG – five – and he contested 11 duels during a game in which he also scored from the penalty spot as the home side’s energy overwhelmed the French superstars.
Nenad Krsticic, alongside Branko Jovicic, is likely to shoulder the responsibility for his team in the battle at the centre of the pitch again here having done so in the previous two Champions League group games.
The experienced 28-year-old was born in Belgrade but spent the majority of his career in Italian football before finally linking up with Red Star in 2017, helping them to the league title and returning to this stage for the first time in almost three decades.
And the Serbian champions will be looking to him for a calm head amid an even more partisan atmosphere than usual at Anfield; there will be no visiting supporters inside the stadium.