Liverpool vs Rangers LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction

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 vs Rangers

• Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Thiago Alcantara, Henderson, Salah, Jota, Diaz, Nunez

• Rangers XI: McGregor, Tavernier, King, Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Tillman, S. Davis, Kent, Morelos

• GOAL! 7’ - Alexander-Arnold curls a free-kick into the top corner for the Reds

• 34’ - Darwin Nunez denied by a big save by McGregor

• GOAL! 53’ - Salah clips home a penalty after Diaz is fouled in the box

• 85’ - Tsimikas clears off the line in rare Rangers attack

• MATCH REPORT: Salah helps Liverpool ease to Champions League win over Rangers

Liverpool FC 2 - 0 Rangers FC

Mohamed Salah helps Liverpool ease to Champions League win over Rangers

22:04 , Michael Jones

In the clash of the clubs from the banks of the Mersey and the Clyde, the real winner was Trent. Mohamed Salah scored with nonchalant ease but 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 a 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. 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.

Mohamed Salah helps Liverpool ease to Champions League win over Rangers

FT Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

22:02 , Michael Jones

Mo Salah got in on the goalscoring action by converting a penalty won by Luis Diaz. Can he go on to transfer that form into the Premier League this weekend.

FT Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:56 , Michael Jones

Over in Group D Tottenham have taken a point away from Eintracht Frankfurt. That game ended 0-0 and wasn’t the most thrilling performance from Spurs.

Antonio Conte’s men remain second in that group and will be hoping for a more positive result when they’re back in London next week.

Full-time: Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:52 , Michael Jones

90+4 mins: Liverpool get the win! They take all three points and remain second in Group A after Napoli’s 6-1 demolition of Ajax in the other fixture tonight.

Rangers go three games without scoring in the Champions League but they’ll have another chance when Liverpool head to Ibrox next week.

That’s a confidence building win for Liverpool who, in truth, never looked like losing that game.

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:50 , Michael Jones

90+2 mins: After Milner wins the ball, Liverpool send it up to Mo Salah who is in bags of space. He carries the ball into the box and rolls it onto his left foot but curling an effort straight into the arms of Allan McGregor.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is given a decent round of applause from the Liverpool supporters as he comes off for Joe Gomez.

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:48 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp is preparing another change with Joe Gomez ready to come on.

Colak hangs onto the ball too long on the edge of the Liverpool box and gets tackled by a lunging James Milner.

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:44 , Michael Jones

87 mins: Close! There’s a bit of life in Rangers as Rabbi Matondo breezes into the box from the left and nutmegs Alisson with a side-footed shot.

Fashion Sakala is arriving at the back post to tap it home but Kostas Tsimikas tracks back and lifts it over the crossbar!

The resultant corner drops to Antonio Colak who drills one at goal but Alisson sticks out his left leg and keeps it out too.

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:41 , Michael Jones

84 mins: Chance! Liverpool win a corner that gets whipped into the middle of the box. It shoots over the head of Virgil van Dijk but drops to Joel Matip who leaps over Leon King.

He wins the header but sends it narrowly wide of the back post!

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:39 , Michael Jones

81 mins: Thiago Alcantara and Darwin Nunez are taken off by Jurgen Klopp with Harvey Elliott and James Milner brought on. This is Milner’s 300th appearance for the Reds.

Ryan Kent and Ben Davies are also off for Rangers with Glen Kamara and Rabbi Matondo brought on.

Less than 10 minutes ot play at Anfield.

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:37 , Michael Jones

78 mins: Liverpool have had 20 attempts tonight with nine on target. In comparison Rangers have had just three efforts at goal with none on target.

Alisson Becker has had a quiet night.

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:32 , Michael Jones

75 mins: Close! Mo Salah slips the ball into the box for Darwin Nunez who pulls it back expertly to Luis Diaz. He’s under pressure for the centre-back and pokes his first-time effort wide of the right-hand post.

Luckily for him the offside flag then goes up against Nunez who just set off on his run too early.

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:30 , Michael Jones

72 mins: Trent Alexander-Arnold perfectly curls a pass around the back of the Rangers defence and almost plays in Luis Diaz on the left side of the penalty area but the winger fails to control the ball and it skips through for a goal kick.

Giovannin van Bronckhorst makes a substitution and brings on Antonio Colak in place of Alfredo Morelos.

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:28 , Michael Jones

69 mins: Roberto Firmino and Fabinho are brought onto the pitch in place of Diogo Jota and Jordan Henderson.

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:26 , Michael Jones

66 mins: Chance! A rare foray up the pitch Rangers ends in a whimper and allows Liverpool to fly forward on the counter-attack. Luis Diaz sprints into the box and lets fly with a right-footed effort that takes a deflection and heads out for a corner.

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:22 , Michael Jones

63 mins: Tavernier tackles Diaz and knocks the ball out of play on the left wing. It’s thrown over to Tsimikas who dribbles into the box but runs into trouble.

This is good defending from the visitors who force Liverpool to send the ball back to Joel Matip.

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:18 , Michael Jones

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

21:13 , Michael Jones

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’)⚽️

21:11 , Michael Jones

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!

21:10 , Michael Jones

Liverpool 1-0 Rangers

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

21:06 , Michael Jones

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

21:03 , Michael Jones

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

20:58 , Michael Jones

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

20:53 , Michael Jones

Half-time: Liverpool 1-0 Rangers

20:49 , Michael Jones

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

20:45 , Michael Jones

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!

Liverpool 1-0 Rangers

20:43 , Michael Jones

40 mins: Wow! Mo Salah recovers the ball into the middle of the pitch and shrugs Ryan Kent away from it before sprinting up to the box. He slides in Darwin Nunez who belts another shot across goal and hits goalkeeper Allan McGregor who pushes it out for a corner!

Darwin vs McGregor is becoming a personal battle and so far the Rangers goalkeeper is winning it.

Liverpool 1-0 Rangers

20:38 , Michael Jones

37 mins: And again! Luis Diaz dribbles around Steve Davis and drives into the box before unloading a shot but McGregor stands tall and gets in behind it to deny the Liverpool winger.

McGregor is keeping Rangers in this game.

Liverpool 1-0 Rangers

20:37 , Michael Jones

34 mins: Save! Allan McGregor is having a blinding game. The ball comes over the top and falls kindly for Darwin Nunez who’s positioned himself on the left tip of the six-yard box.

He brings the ball under control and side foots one towards goal only for McGregor to stick out his right-hand and palm it away.

Liverpool 1-0 Rangers

20:33 , Michael Jones

31 mins: Liverpool win a corner that Kostas Tsimikas swings over to Virgil van Dijk. He manages to leap higher than Leon King but can’t direct his header towards goal.

The Reds recycle the ball over to Tsimikas on the left side but he’s closed down by Malik Tillman who recovers the ball and ends the attack.

Liverpool 1-0 Rangers

20:29 , Michael Jones

28 mins: Mo Salah shoulders his way around Borna Barisic and receives the ball on the right side of the pitch. He slides it into the box for Darwin Nunez who brings the ball to the byline before cutting it back into the middle of the box.

He thinks Salah is there but the Egyptian made a different run and the defenders are able to work it clear.

Liverpool 1-0 Rangers

20:27 , Michael Jones

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

20:23 , Michael Jones

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

20:20 , Michael Jones

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

20:17 , Michael Jones

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

20:14 , Michael Jones

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

20:13 , Michael Jones

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’)⚽️

20:10 , Michael Jones

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

20:09 , Michael Jones

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

20:05 , Michael Jones

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

20:02 , Michael Jones

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.

Liverpool vs Rangers

19:59 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams!

Jurgen Klopp has changed up Liverpool’s formation electing to go with a 4-2-3-1 set up in the hopes that it makes the Reds more defensively solid.

Let’s see if it works out that way.

Pre-match thoughts of Jurgen Klopp

19:53 , Michael Jones

The Liverpool manager spoke to BT Sport before kick saying: “We expect a really tough game. We’ve looked at Rangers’ line-up, probably a 5-4-1, so they’ll be compact, I don’t know how deep.

“We’ve made changes, we have to make changes, we’ve played so many games.”

Liverpool vs Scottish sides

19:50 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have beaten Celtic (twice), Hibernian (twice), Aberdeen and Heart of Midlothian over two legs.

Their only defeat to a Scottish team over two legs came in the Uefa Cup quarter-final in 2003, when Celtic won 2-0 at Anfield after a 1-1 draw in Glasgow.

However, Liverpool have failed to win their latest three home games against Scottish sides - drawing with Celtic in 1997 and Hearts in 2012 either side of that 2003 defeat by Celtic.

Liverpool vs Rangers

19:45 , Michael Jones

15 minutes to go until kick off. Which way will this one go tonight? Can Liverpool sweep aside their Scottish opponents or will Rangers pick up a first win of their Champions League campaign?

Liverpool vs Rangers

19:40 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have a record of seven wins, four draws and three defeats against Scottish sides in Europe which is a mirror image of Rangers’ three wins, four draws and seven defeats against English teams.

In those games, Liverpool have scored 18 goals and conceded just nine. Rangers have scored 11 and conceded 20.

Davies returns to Anfield

19:35 , Michael Jones

Ex-Liverpool man and now Rangers defender, Ben Davies, never broke into the first team after signing for the Premier League side but will play against his old club at Anfield tonight.

Hespoke to BT Sport before kick off saying: “The performance against Napoli in the last game was better than against Ajax.

“Tonight is another opportunity to show what we can do at this level.”

Liverpool vs Rangers

19:29 , Michael Jones

Virgil van Dijk: Consistency key to Liverpool recovery after fresh setback against Brighton

19:23 , Michael Jones

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is confident his side can find their best form fast, and insists that consistency is the key.

A fourth draw in seven Premier League matches left manager Jurgen Klopp admitting confidence is as much of a problem as rhythm and momentum. Speaking after the 3-3 draw with Brighton, a match in which the Reds came back from 2-0 down to lead, Van Dijk used the word “consistency” in four of his answers to seven questions.

But it will take actions rather than words to turn around a trend that has seen Liverpool keep just two clean sheets in 10 matches, with the latest chaotic defensive display clinically exposed by a Seagulls side who had not played for a month and were playing their first match for a new manager.

Virgil van Dijk: Consistency key to Liverpool recovery after fresh setback

Lacking the clinical finish

19:17 , Michael Jones

Rangers are still looking for their first Champions League goal this season, having never previously failed to score in their opening three games.

Only Viktoria Plzen (two) and Sevilla (three) have had fewer shots on target than Rangers (four).

Can Liverpool emulate Ajax?

19:12 , Michael Jones

Rangers' 0-4 defeat against Ajax on matchday one was their heaviest in a Champions League away game. They had one shot on target - eight fewer than their opponents, and only four touches in the opposition box.

Lundstram’s torn allegiences

19:07 , Michael Jones

Rangers midfielder John Lundstram was born in Liverpool and began his career with Everton in 2002, signing as a scholar in 2010.

After moving to Ibrox last year, he admitted that he will have family and friends supporting opposite sides this evening.

Trent Alexander-Arnold the fall guy but Liverpool’s defensive woes start elsewhere

19:03 , Michael Jones

It wasn’t a replay as much as a tape that seemed stuck on the same loop, the video nasty that appeared to confirm Gareth Southgate’s opinion that Kieran Trippier has a better all-round game than Trent Alexander-Arnold. At half-time inside Anfield, the television screens that can be viewed internally showed Brighton’s first two goals time and time and time again. And then again.

There was Alexander-Arnold, with a poor header out to allow Brighton to regain the ball; it is a weakness in his game, when a diagonal ball finds him at the far post. There he was, beaten too easily by Leandro Trossard before he opened the scoring; he is not a one-on-one defender of the calibre of Kyle Walker. There he was, attempting an audacious bit of chest control, only for Danny Welbeck to head the ball away from him in the build-up to Trossard’s second. Jurgen Klopp had mounted the case for the defence of Alexander-Arnold in eloquent, impassioned fashion on Saturday. The prosecution could show the footage and not worry about the words.

The strongest adjectives Klopp deployed after the 3-3 draw with Brighton were “horrendous” and “horrible.” Neither was applied to Alexander-Arnold, though the Liverpool manager said his side could have defended all three goals better. Defending, Klopp argues, is a collective endeavour. The back four are the obvious culprits when goals go in. “From the outside, that’s fine,” said Virgil van Dijk, who has admitted his own performances have dipped below his usual standards. “It’s more complex than that. Defending starts from the front.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold the fall guy but Liverpool’s woes start elsewhere

Rangers record in Champions League

18:58 , Michael Jones

Rangers have now made 11 appearances in the Champions League group stage and are featuring for the first time since 2010/11 when, as in eight of their nine other campaigns, they were unable to reach the knockout rounds.

The exception came in 2005/06 when they got to the round of 16, beating Porto 3-2 along the way.

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham

18:53 , Michael Jones

Elsewhere in the Champions League tonight, Tottenham Hotspur travel to Germany to take on Europa League winners, Eintracht Frankfurt.

Here’s a look at the two confirmed line-ups:

Frankfurt XI: Trapp, Tuta, Hasebe, Ndicka, Knauff, Rode, Sow, Jakic, Lindstrom, Kamada, Muani

Tottenham XI: Lloris, Romero, Dier, Lenglet, Royal, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Perisic, Richarlison, Kane, Son

Liverpool vs Rangers team changes

18:49 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp makes three changes to the Liverpool side that drew with Brighton on Saturday. Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Fabio Carvalho drop out with Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz brought into the side.

Rangers make four changes to the side that beat Hearts at the weekend in the Scottish Premiership.

Antonio Čolak drops to the bench Alfredo with Morelos preferred to start in attack. 18-year-old defender Leon King and midfielders Steven Davis and Malik Tillman also come into the line-up.

Liverpool vs Rangers line-ups

18:42 , Michael Jones

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Thiago Alcantara, Henderson, Salah, Jota, Diaz, Nunez

Rangers XI: McGregor, Tavernier, King, Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Tillman, S. Davis, Kent, Morelos

Liverpool ‘calm’ over Darwin Nunez struggle to settle into underperforming team

18:41 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp insisted Liverpool are remaining calm about Darwin Nunez’s slow start to life at Anfield after leaving their record signing on the bench for their last three games.

The German and his multilingual assistant Pep Lijnders had a long conversation with the Uruguayan, who could cost Liverpool up to £85 million, to urge him not to worry about his struggles to get into the team.

Nunez scored on his first two appearances after his summer move from Benfica but has only started one of Liverpool’s last seven meetings as he served a three-match ban for his red card against Crystal Palace, began but missed chances in the 0-0 draw against Everton and was a substitute against Napoli, Ajax and Brighton.

Liverpool ‘calm’ as Nunez struggles to settle into underperforming team

Liverpool’s home record

18:36 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have won 13 of their last 15 home Champions League group stage matches (one draw, one defeat) and have scored 36 goals during that run.

Their only defeat was against Atalanta in November 2020.

Liverpool must fight to rediscover form with ‘pretty much everything’ in need of improvement

18:30 , Michael Jones

The most infamous tweet in Manchester United history stemmed from the club’s official account and read: “David Moyes says [the team] must improve in a number of areas, including passing, creating chances and defending.”

Nine years on, Jurgen Klopp produced his own version of it, albeit inserting the punchline that everything is wrong, rather than leaving others to supply it. “We have to improve, we have to play consistently better, defend better, attack better: pretty much everything,” the Liverpool manager said.

If it is not the kind of verdict a coach with six defeats in his previous 82 games usually delivers, nor was it the sort of analysis most produced a few months ago, when the quadruple beckoned for Liverpool.

And if that illustrates how quickly things have unravelled at Anfield, if the statistics reflect the sustained spell of superb form that preceded the current problems, it leaves Liverpool searching for answers. Is this malaise or decline, a blip or something bigger?

Liverpool must fight for form with ‘pretty much everything’ in need of improvement

Rangers in England

18:24 , Michael Jones

Rangers did not score in their last two Uefa games in England (a 3-0 loss and a 0-0 draw against Manchester United), but won 2-1 in the game before that – 2-1 in 1992 against a Leeds line-up featuring Eric Cantona.

The Daily Record called it Rangers’ “best performance in 20 years”.

Salah to move above Riise

18:18 , Michael Jones

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

18:12 , Michael Jones

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

18:06 , Michael Jones

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

‘The reality is we can all do better'

18:00 , Michael Jones

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'

17:55 , Michael Jones

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?

17:50 , Michael Jones

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

17:45 , Michael Jones

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

Klopp on Rangers

17:40 , Michael Jones

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

17:35 , Michael Jones

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

17:30 , Michael Jones

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.

Jurgen Klopp says ‘world-class’ Trent Alexander-Arnold good enough to ‘improve any team’ despite England snub

17:23 , Michael Jones

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes Trent Alexander-Arnold’s offensive impact is so great any team in the world could utilise him.

Klopp launched an impassioned defence of his right-back, whose World Cup hopes appear to be hanging by a thread, but accepts England manager Gareth Southgate has a different way of playing.

The 23-year-old was called up for the two Nations League matches against Italy and Germany but was an unused substitute for one and failed to make the squad for the second.

There has been a long-running debate as to why he cannot fit into the international side, with his apparent defensive deficiencies putting him behind Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, Chelsea’s Reece James and Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier.

Jurgen Klopp says ‘world-class’ Trent Alexander-Arnold would ‘improve any team’

Klopp on Liverpool’s shaky defence

17:17 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have been uncharacteristically poor at defending their own goal this season and have conceded in every home game bar their 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth.

It’s a problem that manager Jurgen Klopp has so far been unable to solve and the German says his team need to ‘go back to the basics’.

"When you spot a problem and think you have the solution, you expect [it] to be instant.” said Klopp, “That’s never the case in football.

"Defending is an art and it worked for us really well for a long time. But with it not working, you realise you have to go back to the basics.

“We can’t always start anew. If we can help the boys with ways to defend differently, we have to do that."

Liverpool vs Rangers

17:11 , Michael Jones

The Champions League is back at Anfield as Liverpool welcome Rangers for a Group A clash. Kick off begins at 8pm and we’ll bring you all the build-up and team news beforehand.

Van Bronckhorst on facing Liverpool

17:05 , Michael Jones

Rangers boss, Giovanni van Brockhorst, says that Liverpool will be the ‘strongest side’ his team has faced when they clash with Jurgen Klopp’s men in the Champions League tonight.

"It’s going to be very difficult," he said. "This is a team who have been in three finals in five years and is one of the best in Europe. If you look at the ones we’ve faced, this is probably the strongest side.

"They didn’t have a good result on Saturday but they have quality players and a fantastic coach so we’re preparing for the best Liverpool we can face."

Rangers have been beaten heavily in both Group A matches so far but van Bronckhorst believes his men can be a threat to Liverpool and added that there are “things to exploit” in Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Jurgen Klopp urges Liverpool improvement but says confidence the big factor in poor results

16:59 , Michael Jones

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists even greats like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not immune from confidence issues as he seeks to find a solution to his side’s inconsistency.

Saturday’s 3-3 draw at home to Brighton, having gone from 2-0 down to 3-2 up, was an example of the wider malaise which is affecting the team.

Klopp is remaining patient but knows Tuesday’s Champions League tie at home to Rangers has become a key game having already lost once in Group A.

“People can ask how could it happen that these players are not full of confidence?” said the German.

Klopp urges Liverpool improvement but says confidence behind poor form

Liverpool vs Rangers early team news

16:53 , Michael Jones

Andy Robertson is likely to miss the game for Liverpool as he continues to recover from an injury that also forced him out of last month’s Nations League games for Scotland.

But, Ibrahima Konate trained with the squad on Monday and could feature but Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were not involved in the session and are set for more time on the sidelines.

For Rangers James Sands will be absent following his red card against Napoli and Tom Lawrence is out for the forseeable future after picking up a new injury in training. Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst says he is not expecting Lawrence back anytime soon and it will be until after the World Cup before he’s back in the squad.

The good news is that Ben Davies is available despite being replaced at half-time in the weekend win at Hearts.

Liverpool vs Rangers

16:48 , Michael Jones

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League clash between Liverpool vs Rangers.

It’s an all British affair at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s Reds look to kick themselves into gear after a lacklustre start to the season. Liverpool are currently ninth in the Premier League table and come into tonight’s match on the back of a 3-3 draw against Brighton on Saturday. In the Champions League, Klopp’s men sit second in Group A and could really do with a picking up three points this evening as a confidence booster.

Rangers on the other hand are thriving in the Scottish Premiership with only Celtic above them in the table. They battered Hearts 4-0 at the weekend and have built up some momentum over the last couple of games. Whether they are ready to face Liverpool is another matter. Their return to Europe’s top competition has so far been a shambles with heavy defeats to Ajax (4-0) and Napoli (3-0) souring the joy felt at making it back into the Champions League proper.

That sour taste will be banished though if they can pull one over Liverpool away from home. It is a good time to visit Anfield with the Reds only keeping one clean sheet in five games here this season and with Klopp’s men lacking confidence there may be a chance for the Gers to pull off a special European victory.