Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits team lacks confidence
It’s an all-British affair in the Champions League tonight as Liverpool host Rangers in Group A. The Reds bounced back from their opening matchday defeat to Napoli with a 2-1 victory against Ajax - thanks to Joel Matip’s 89th minute winner - and sit second in the group ahead of this evening’s clash.
Rangers, meanwhile, have lost both of their first two fixtures in Europe’s top competition conceding seven goals across ties with Napoli and Ajax. It’s been a bruising return to the Champions League for the Scottish side, but they’ll take some confidence into this fixture thanks to a 4-0 mauling of Hearts in the Scottish Premiership at the weekend.
It’s also a good time to visit Anfield with Jurgen Klopp’s team looking defensively weak and struggling to find any sort of rhythm. Out of the five games they’ve played at home this season Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet, but they’ll be hoping to rectify that against the Gers and get their campaign back on track. Can Rangers capitalise on Liverpool’s frailties, or will the Reds sweep Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men aside tonight?
Follow all the action from the Champions League as Liverpool host Rangers at Anfield:
Liverpool 2-0 Rangers
60 mins: An hour gone at Anfield and Liverpool have a comfortable lead. Rangers haven’t offered much in front of goal and Liverpool are in complete control.
In the other Group A match tonight Napoli are beating Ajax 4-1.
Liverpool 2-0 Rangers
56 mins: Close! The ball is whipped over to Mo Salah who brings it down and weaves into the box. He rolls the ball onto his left foot and shoots but the defender, King I think, is across quickly and puts in the block.
Meanwhile, Luis Diaz and Connor Goldson collide in the middle of the pitch and both players stay down needing treatment from the physios.
It seems they’ll both be okay to play on.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Rangers (Salah, 53’)⚽️
53 mins: The penalty is left to Mo Salah who dances around the ball then slides it straight down the middle as Allan McGregor dives across to his left.
Liverpool double their lead.
Penalty to Liverpool!
51 mins: Luis Diaz accelerates through a tiny gap and carries the ball into the box. Leon King dangles out his leg and takes out the winger inside the box and the referee wastes no time before pointing to the spot.
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
48 mins: Liverpool are attempting to pick up where they left off by pushing Rangers deep into their own half but the Scottish side seem more determined to pile pressure on in midfield.
That’s opened some gaps for Luis Diaz and Mo Salah to exploit on the wide areas but neither manages to create a cear chance with runs into the penalty area.
Second half: Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
Kick off: No changes from either manager at the break so it’s as you were. Liverpool get the ball rolling for the second 45 minutes and work it up towards Darwin Nunez.
He scrambles all over Leon King and fouls the young defender gifting a free kick to Rangers.
HT Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
Since the start of the 2016-17 season, Trent Alexander-Arnold has scored six direct free-kick goals in all competitions, more than any other Liverpool player in this period.
HT Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
(Getty Images)
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Half-time: Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
45 mins: A very one-sided 45 minutes comes to an end at Anfield with Liverpool taking the advantage into the break.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brilliant free kick sent them ahead in just the seventh minute and since then it’s been a masterclass from Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
He’s made at least four excellent saves and seems to have made it his personal mission to stop Darwin Nunez from scoring tonight. The 40-year-old is single-handley keeping Rangers in this contest.
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
43 mins: McGregor to the rescue again. Nunez makes a darting run across the box from right to left and is given the ball with a beautiful through pass from Diogo Jota
Nunez takes his shot early but McGregor drops to his right and stops another one!