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:
Salah to move above Riise
Mo Salah is set to overtake John Arne Riise as the Liverpool player with the third-most Champions League appearances for the club (excluding qualifiers).
If selected, the Egyptian will make his 59th outing in the competition this evening. Only Jamie Carragher (80) and Steven Gerrard (73) made more.
England vs Scotland
There has only been one instance of a Scottish side winning away at an English side in the European Cup or Champions League in seven attempts (two draws, four defeats).
Celtic defeated Leeds 1-0 in the first leg of the 1969/70 semi-final.
Rangers dealt new Tom Lawrence blow ahead of Champions League trip to Liverpool
Rangers boss Giovanni Van Bronckhorst heads into the biggest challenge of his Ibrox reign reeling from a fresh injury blow to winger Tom Lawrence.
The 28-year-old Welshman was close to the end of his recovery from a knee problem which has kept him out since August but has sustained a new issue in training ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Liverpool which may keep him sidelined until after the World Cup.
It will not impact the player’s chances of going to Qatar as he has not featured for the national team since March 2021 but it is a blow for Rangers as the summer signing from Derby had begun well, having scored three times in the five matches before being injured.
Rangers dealt new Tom Lawrence blow ahead of Champions League trip to Liverpool
Lawrence was close to the end of his recovery from a knee problem which has kept him out since August but has sustained a new issue in training.
‘The reality is we can all do better'
Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson, wrote in tonight’s match programme about the team’s recent performances and explained how the team needs to show character and spirt if they want to become an intimidating force again. He wrote:
“The performance we produced [against Ajax] was not perfect by any means, but we did show the kind of character, spirit and determination that will be needed again tonight. To be blunt, anything else is unlikely to be enough.
“Rangers will probably look at our form and think we are vulnerable and that would be fair enough. Our results haven’t been good enough to intimidate opponents, so it us up to every one of us to restore our standards. The reality is we can all do better.”
Van Bronckhorst on taking Champions League ‘opportunity'
Giovanni van Bronckhorst says that playing in the Champions League alongside Europe’s best players is enough motivation for his team to go out and perform well and hs encouraged his players to take this opportunity to show what they can do.
"It’s a big opportunity for everyone.” said the Rangers manager, “In the Champions League you play against the best players and that is a motivation for the whole team and me as a coach.
"They are at home, had a bad result in the first game, but the pressure is always on both teams. They are used to performing at this level but it is a huge step for us. We embrace the challenge. It’s a hard place to come but we still believe it is possible."
A good omen?
Liverpool’s last meeting with Scottish opponents in the European Cup was in 1980/81.
They won 5-0 on aggregate against Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen (1-0 away, 4-0 home) and went on to win the competition that year.
Liverpool must work through confidence issues after rocky start to season, Klopp says
Jurgen Klopp insists his team must work through their confidence issues, as he seeks a solution to his side’s inconsistency so far this season.
The Liverpool manager also namechecked football icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, saying they are not immune to the same issues.
“It’s not only about confidence, but being 2-0 down is not good for confidence and being 3-2 up is really usually good,” Klopp said of his team’s hectic 3-3 draw with Brighton at the weekend.
Liverpool face Rangers in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Liverpool must work through confidence issues after rocky start to season, Klopp says
Jurgen Klopp insists his team must work through their confidence issues, as he seeks a solution to his side’s inconsistency so far this season. The Liverpool manager also namechecked football icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, saying they are not immune to the same issues. “It’s not only about confidence, but being 2-0 down is not good for confidence and being 3-2 up is really usually good,” Klopp said of his team’s hectic 3-3 draw with Brighton at the weekend. Liverpool face Rangers in the Champions League on Tuesday. Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
Klopp on Rangers
Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, spoke about what he is expecting from tonight’s encounter and in his pre-match press conference he praised tonight’s opponents, Rangers, for their ‘exceptional season’ in Europe last year.
“Rangers are doing extremely well in general.” said the Liverpool manager, “We expect they will really fight for a result. Rangers are a good football team and they are well coached.
“They had an exceptional season in Europe last season. That’s what we have to prepare for. We expect a proper fight, a real fight.”
Liverpool prepare for Rangers test
Liverpool welcome Rangers for the first time in European competition this evening and know a win will put them one step closer to qualifying for the knockout stages.
Liverpool vs Rangers
This is the first European meeting between Liverpool and Rangers.
Rangers have only won one of their seven away games in England - with two draws and four defeats. That victory was against Leeds United (2-1) in the Champions League qualifying phase in November 1992 with goals from Mark Hateley and Ally McCoist.
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