Liverpool vs Rangers Preview

European night at Anfield is back! Liverpool host Rangers tonight in their third match of the Champions League group stage.

After inconsistent form, the Reds will need to make sure that they show up and gain vital three points in group A. Ranger’s win in the European tournament is yet to come.

Overview

Consistency and momentum are the key features to regain for Liverpool. Not only the fan base spot the problem in its implementation on the turf, but also players are open to acknowledge that the problem is there and needs improvement.

Following the sharing of the spoils with Brighton and Hove Albion, Virgil Van Dijk brought the issue on the floor: “You have to get in the moment and that consistency is the most difficult part of football. You have to do that together, deal with setbacks together and keep doing the same things you want to do”.

This game represents a chance for the Reds to bounce back and return to winning ways. In fact, they must use their stadium and the famous European atmosphere to keep all the points at Anfield. Liverpool sit in second spot in group A with 3 points to their name after two encounters. Rangers are the weakest team in the group on paper, they travel to England without plenty of faces. Therefore Jurgen Klopp will be targeting 6 points against them in two legs.

The English outfit recorded just one win in the last four meetings either in the Premier League or Cup competition. Ajax were the latest to be beaten. Moreover, at the weekend, the Reds were able to come from behind against Brighton and Hove Albion, but didn’t manage to gain a vital victory as outstanding Leandro Trossard had his final say.

Elsewhere, it took Rangers 12 years to make a Champions League comeback. Bear in mind, just how difficult this group stage is for them. Getting the likes of powerhouses such as Napoli, Liverpool and Ajax present them with a challenge and crucial experience.

The Gers are two points behind their rival Celtic, who occupy the first spot. Weekend’s match against Hearts brought many smiles to faces. Rangers were ruthless and thrashed Hearts 4:0 away from home. However, the elite European tournament hasn’t been a walk in the park for them, they’ve suffered 2 defeats and are yet to register a win. Breakthrough against Liverpool is unlikely.

Head to Head

The sides will have their competitive debut on Tuesday night for the first time. In days gone by, they faced each other in either testimonial or friendly games. There were overall ten friendly games in which Liverpool won 4 times, lost 4 times and drew 2 times. However, we shouldn’t set great store on these statistics due to the fact they weren’t of high rank when it comes to racking up points.

Over a decade ago, in 2011, the two teams met for the last time at Ibrox Stadium. Guess who was at the helm? The legend on and off-the-pitch – Sir Kenny Dalglish. What about the skipper? It was Lucas who was wearing the armband with pride. Rangers beat the Reds 1-0, courtesy of Aurelio’s own goal (the ball bounced off him from the post.

Team News

Jurgen Klopp may have a selection headache when it comes to the right-back position. An awful defensive performance presented from Trent Alexander-Arnold raises question whether he should be given a rest and left out of the game.

James Milner or Joe Gomez are the only options that could cover his position. The summer newcomer Calvin Ramsay was meant to be his deputy. However, the eighteen-year-old Scot is not match fit yet, having picked up a back injury.

This contest comes too soon for Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, who are both nursing knee injuries. Kostas Tsimikas is likely to cover the left side. Curtis Jones (calf) is set to spend another game on the sidelines, while both Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are omitted from Liverpool’s Champions League squad due to long-term injuries.

As the matches come thick and fast, the gaffer will opt to rotate his squad and refrain from burning them out.

Rangers are without James Sands who is serving out a European suspension after being given a red card against Napoli.

To add insult to injury, Rangers are set to embark on a journey to England with a decimated squad – without Hagi, Lawrence, Helander, Ofoborh and Souttar. Familiar faces in the Scotish outfit will probably start in the lineup – Ben Davies and Ryan Kent.

Summary

Clement Turpin (FRA) is the man responsible for taking decisions on the pitch. He has refereed one Rangers game so far, a victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League last year. As for Liverpool, Turpin has supervised them on four occasions (one defeat, two wins, one draw).

I believe Liverpool will be in more possession of the ball from the very first minute. Given the fitness issues at Rangers, they are likely to sit back, intercept the ball if the occasion arises and play counterattack.

Liverpool’s defensive issues are not confidential, opponents found ways to put the ball into Alisson’s net. If Rangers wish to get anything out of the game, they’ll have to make the Reds vulnerable in their back line. Currently, Klopp’s side aren’t up and running after a slow start to the season, but I hope tonight’s tie against the Scotish underdogs will give them a boost and more belief in their abilities.

YNWA