Liverpool vs Rangers LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction
Liverpool host Rangers in a Champions League group stage clash at Anfield
In the clash of the clubs from the banks of the Mersey and the Clyde, the real winner was Trent. The under pressure right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, set Liverpool on a path to victory they were expected to get. Perhaps he effected a swift transformation from scapegoat to top dog and certainly his celebration of a cathartic goal had an air of vindication.
Whether his brilliant free kick was an eloquent response to criticism or simply a demonstration of the gifts that make him a unique right-back, it brought him respite on an evening that ended not with another inquest, but a standing ovation.
For Liverpool, too, it was a restorative affair with Mohamed Salah adding a second with nonchalant ease. A continental campaign that began with the nadir of their worst performance under Jurgen Klopp now looks on course to conclude somewhere in the knockout stages. Napoli’s win over Ajax helps position Liverpool to qualify, if not win Group A, and they can plan for the return trip to Ibrox next week in greater need of points in the Premier League then the Champions League.
Relive the action from the Champions League as Liverpool defeated Rangers at Anfield:
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
25 mins: It’s been a chaotic start for Rangers who just can’t seen to keep the ball. In contrast Liverpool are moving it with precision and composure operating mainly in their opponent’s half.
Rangers just need a spell of possession to get themselves into the game.
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
22 mins: Liverpool swing a couple of crosses into the Rangers box but they’re defended well by the Scottish side. The ball comes out to Thiago Alcantara and the Liverpool fans encourage him to shoot.
Instead he dinks it over to Kostas Tsimikas who meets it with a header back into the middle of the box but Allan McGregor confidently sprints out of goal and grabs hold of the aerial ball.
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
19 mins: Opportunity for Rangers.
Ryan Kent shifts the ball around Jordan Henderson and draws Trent Alexander-Arnold out of position. He shows the ball to the Liverpool right-back then gets his body in the way and earns Rangers a free kick just outside the penalty area.
James Tavernier takes the free kick and smokes his effort into the wall. The ball rebounds out to Kent who blasts it over the crossbar.
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
16 mins: Close! Allan McGregor is called into action after Liverpool flick the ball over to Mo Salah. He receives the ball just past the halfway line and carries up to the penalty area.
He comes inside and rolls it onto his left foot unopposed before firing one towards the far bottom corner. McGregor drops low to his right and gets a glancing touch on the ball managing to push it wide of goal.
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
13 mins: Chance! Luis Diaz cuts in from the left side and moves the ball into a central area. John Lundstram and Steven Davis drop away from him allowing Diaz enough room to take a shot and he curls his effort just wide of the far post.
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
10 mins: Darwin Nunez tries to wind up Connor Goldson after Rangers win a free kick from a Liverpool corner. The referee has to intercede and Nunez puts on his best look of innocence.
A long clearance from the Reds comes down the right side but Nunez chases the lost cause and forces John Lundstram to knock it out of play for a Liverpool throw in.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Rangers (Alexander-Arnold, 7’)⚽️
7 mins: What a strike!
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah stand over the dead ball but it’s the right-back who belts the free kick at goal. He gets it over the wall and there’s enough dip to sneak the ball under the post and into the nearest top corner.
Allan McGregor shuffles across but he can’t reach the ball and Liverpool take the lead.
Liverpool 0-0 Rangers
6 mins: That’s lovely from Liverpool. Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas and Luis Diaz all combine on the left wing to work the ball up the pitch with slick one-touch passing to move it around the Rangers players.
Tsimikas slides it inside to Darwin Nunez who is taken out from behind by John Lundstram. Liverpool win a free kick right near the left edge of the ‘D’.
Liverpool 0-0 Rangers
3 mins: Save! The ball comes up to Mo Salah on the right wing who drives forward before fizzing a pass into Diogo Jota. He tries to control it on the turn but only manages to knock the ball into the path of Darwin Nunez.
Nunez blasts a first-time shot at goal and forces Allan McGregor into a sharp save at the near post which he palms wide of goal.
Kick off: Liverpool 0-0 Rangers
This is the first meeting between Rangers and Liverpool in European competition. The Scottish club get the match underway and Leon King sends it over to the right wing where it’s cleared but Liverpool’s left-back Kostas Tsimikas.
Another attempted diagonal pass goes out of play and Trent Alexander-Arnold throws it across to Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool take over possession.
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