Rangers vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League result and final score after Mohamed Salah hits record hat-trick
Mo Salah #MoSalah
Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick in just six minutes as Liverpool came from behind to thrash Rangers at Ibrox, as the Scottish side were eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages.
A double from Roberto Firmino turned the match to ease the pressure on Liverpool after Scott Arfield gave Rangers the perfect start and had Ibrox rocking when he fired past Alisson.
But Firmino then silenced the home crowd with a simple equaliser from a corner before the Brazilian struck his second as he tucked an excellent cross from Joe Gomez past Allan McGregor. Firmino then turned provider to set up Darwin Nunez, who slotted in Liverpool’s third.
It went from bad to worse for Rangers as Salah came off the bench to score the fastest ever Champions League hat-trick, while Harvey Elliott added a seventh, providing a boost to Liverpool’s confidence ahead of Sunday’s clash against Manchester City.
Follow all the reaction as Liverpool put seven past Rangers in the Champions League:
Rangers vs Liverpool
Rangers will be eliminated from the Champions League if they fail to win
Napoli defeat Ajax 4-2 to stretch lead at the top of Group A
GOAL! Arfield sends Ibrox rocking with opening goal (1-0)
GOAL! Firmino scores simple equaliser from corner (1-1)
GOAL! Firmino tucks in second from excellent Gomez cross (1-2)
GOAL! Nunez slots third after lovely Firmino flick (1-3)
GOAL! Salah comes off the bench to score from tight angle (1-4)
GOAL! Salah scores second as Rangers collapse (1-5)
GOAL! Salah completes remarkable six-minute hat-trick (1-6)
GOAL! Elliott adds seventh with first Champions League goal (1-7)
Rangers FC 1 – 7 Liverpool FC
FT Rangers 1-7 Liverpool
21:55 , Michael Jones
Three stellar performances from these men tonight. Roberto Firmino is back to his best form, Darwin Nunez is finding the goal more regularly and Harvey Elliott continues to prove his worth to Liverpool.
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
(Action Images via Reuters)
Full-time: Rangers 1-7 Liverpool
21:52 , Michael Jones
90+1 mins: What a second half performance that was from Liverpool. Roberto Firmino broke the spine of Rangers’ defence before Darwin Nunez added a third to send them clear.
Story continues
Mo Salah then came on and smoked home a six minute hat-trick before Harvey Elliott put the icing on the cake with his first every Champions League goal.
Liverpool now just need to avoid defeat against Ajax in the next matchday and they’re into the knockout stages. A perfect night for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Rangers suffer their biggest ever home defeat in Europe and are eliminated from the Champions League.
GOAL! Rangers 1-7 Liverpool (Elliott, 87’)⚽️
21:47 , Michael Jones
87 mins: Harvey Elliott has one now too, it’s his first ever Champions League goal!
Fabio Carvalho gives it to Thiago who slides the ball into the box for Salah. Salah curls it across to Diogo Jota who misses the ball but it rolls through to Elliott and he blasts it into the back of the net!
Liverpool have scored four goals in 11 minutes.
Rangers 1-6 Liverpool
21:45 , Michael Jones
84 mins: Salah’s hat-trick is the fastest ever in the Champions League.
He’s also gone above Sergio Aguero (36) and Didier Drogba (36) for the most goals scored in the Champions League by someone playing for a Premier League side with 38 goals for Liverpool.
GOAL! Rangers 1-6 Liverpool (Salah, 81’)⚽️
21:41 , Michael Jones
81 mins: A six minute hat-trick for Mo Salah!
Diogo Jota drives the ball through the middle and brings it up to the box before feeding it over to Salah who’s made his way into the right side of the penalty area.
He shifts the ball away from Barisic then curls his effort into the far corner!
GOAL! Rangers 1-5 Liverpool (Salah, 80’)⚽️
21:39 , Michael Jones
80 mins: Another one!
Rangers give the ball away and Fabinho carries it up the pitch. He sends it to Jota who lays the ball to Salah. Salah stands on the ball right on the edge of the penalty area before whipping his left-footed effort past Allan McGregor’s left hand!
GOAL! Rangers 1-4 Liverpool (Salah, 75’)⚽️
21:35 , Michael Jones
75 mins: Mo Salah has a goal and Liverpool have their fourth!
The Reds sweep down the right side with Harvey Elliott driving the ball. He looks to pass it over to Diogo Jota but the ball gets deflected and loops into the box.
Salah is on hand to bring it down before shrugging off Borna Barisic and poking his shot into the far side of the net!
Rangers 1-3 Liverpool
21:34 , Michael Jones
74 mins: Another substitution for Liverpool. Diogo Jota comes on to replace Roberto Firmino who leaves the pitch with two goals and an assist.
Surely a match winning performance from the smiling Brazilian.
Rangers 1-3 Liverpool
21:31 , Michael Jones
72 mins: Save! Two of Liverpool’s substitutes combine and almost give Liverpool a fourth. Thiago receives it in the middle of the final third and dinks a pass over the top to meet Salah’s run from the right.
He controls the ball before turning one towards goal and knocking the effort at Allan McGregor who keeps it out with his legs.
Rangers 1-3 Liverpool
21:29 , Michael Jones
69 mins: Jurgen Klopp makes a triple change now and that goal was Darwin Nunez’s final involvement in the game as he’s replaced with Mo Salah. Thiago Alcantara and Andy Robertson also come on to take over from Jordan Henderson and Kostas Tsimikas.
GOAL! Rangers 1-3 Liverpool (Nunez, 66’)⚽️
21:26 , Michael Jones
66 mins: There’s the third!
Allan McGregor’s ball into midfield is won by Fabinho who knocks the ball up to Fabio Carvalho. He gives it to Roberto Firmino who flicks the ball into the box for Darwin Nunez.
Nunez takes his shot with his first touch and guides it expertly into the far bottom corner. McGregor dives across but can’t reach the ball.
It’s a long way back for Rangers now.
Rangers 1-2 Liverpool
21:21 , Michael Jones
61 mins: Over quarter of an hour played in the second half and it’s been all Liverpool. They’ve created eight chances since the restart with Rangers have none in reply.
Jurgen Klopp will want another goal to make this a comfortable result and Rangers need to kick themselves into gear.
Rangers 1-2 Liverpool
21:20 , Michael Jones
58 mins: Rangers have another injury and it’s Ryan Jack who hobbles off this time to be replaced with Steven Davis.
Harvey Elliott skips away from Borna Barisic and fizzes an effort at goal from the edge of the box but sends it straight into the arms of Allan McGregor.
After that effort Jordan Henderson has gone to ground clutching his ankle but he’s going to be okay.
GOAL! Rangers 1-2 Liverpool (Firmino, 55’)⚽️
21:14 , Michael Jones
55 mins: Two for Firmino, two for Liverpool!
Harvey Elliott gets the ball in midfield and flicks it over to Joe Gomez on the right wing who drives down the pitch before bending a beautiful pass around Leon King to set up Roberto Firmino.
He makes his run in behind the defender and meets the ball with a first-time side-footed effort that goes through the legs of Allan McGregor.
Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
21:13 , Michael Jones
51 mins: The pressure has from Liverpool in the early stages of the second half but Fabinho gifts the ball back to Rangers after attempting an ambitious cross field pass over to Harvey Elliott and sending it over the byline and out of play.
Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
21:08 , Michael Jones
48 mins: The first chance of the second half comes to Liverpool who win a corner just outside the penalty area. Kostas Tsimikas and Jordan Henderson stand over the dead ball and have a long chat before Tsimikas hoofs his effort well over the crossbar!
Second half: Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
21:05 , Michael Jones
Kick off: Rangers get the ball rolling for the second half at Ibrox. They send the ball over to the left wing but the diagonal ball heads straight out of play.
No further changes from Giovanni van Bronckhorst and no changes for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
Gary Neville ‘alarmed’ by Liverpool’s ‘physical depression’ after Arsenal loss
20:58 , Michael Jones
Gary Neville admits he is “alarmed” by Liverpool’s “physical depression” in recent performances after a downturn in form this season.
The Reds lost 3-2 at Arsenal last weekend, leaving them 14 points off the Gunners at the top of the Premier League.
And Neville believes Jurgen Klopp’s side are displaying major signs of fatigue as they strive to kick-start their season ahead of facing Manchester City on Sunday.
“I’ve praised Liverpool and [Jürgen] Klopp for the last five, six years for the levels they’ve reached – it’s been off the scale – but I felt before the game Arsenal fans were expecting to win,” Neville said on The Overlap, in partnership with Sky Bet.
Gary Neville ‘alarmed’ by Liverpool’s ‘physical depression’
HT Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
20:54 , Michael Jones
… but Roberto Firmino equalised from a Liverpool corner.
(Getty Images)
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
HT Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
20:52 , Michael Jones
Scott Arfield puts Rangers ahead with a glorious finish from inside the box…
(PA)
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Half-time: Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
20:48 , Michael Jones
45+3 mins: The honours are even as the teams make their way into the break at 1-1. That was a decent first 45 minutes for Rangers but can they repeat that performance for the rest of the match?
Liverpool have the stronger bench to call on and the Scottish side have already lost Connor Goldson to injury. If they want to win this game, they need to score first after the restart.
Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
20:45 , Michael Jones
45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half.
Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
20:44 , Michael Jones
44 mins: Blow for Rangers as Connor Goldson has gone down with a what seems to be a pulled muscle in his left leg. He can’t play on and gets replaced with teenager Leon King.
Goldson is well applauded as he leaves the pitch.
Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
20:43 , Michael Jones
42 mins: It’s Rangers’ turn now to send a corner kick into the box. Barisic lifts the ball into the middle of the box but Konate gets up highest and nods it out of the area.
The home recycle the ball and work it over to Fashion Sakala on the right wing. He drives into the box and breezes past Tsimikas before pulling the ball back into the middle.
Arfield arrives and takes a first time shot but Konate comes to the rescue for Liverpool and throws himself to ground to pull off the block.
Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
20:40 , Michael Jones
39 mins: Fabinho and Elliott combine and try to move the ball slickly into the centre of the box but Tavernier dispossesses the young midfielder and sends the ball into midfield.
Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
20:37 , Michael Jones
36 mins: Tsimikas gives away a free kick that Tavernier swings in from the left wing. The ball drops to Ben Davies but he can’t get off a shot and Liverpool take over.
Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
20:36 , Michael Jones
33 mins: Close! Out of nowhere Rangers are getting themselves back in the game. Tavernier whips the ball over to the right side of the pitch where Lundstram pokes it into the area and storms past Gomez.
He hooks a cross into the middle but there are none of his teammates around and Henderson scoops it away. Rangers recover it though and keep the attack alive by gifting the ball to Borna Barisic.
He floats one in from the left this time but Liverpool manage to deal with it.
Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
20:32 , Michael Jones
30 mins: Mo Salah is out on the sidelines for a warm-up and it wouldn’t be surprising if he makes an appearance in the second half.
Rangers have been a little stunted since they scored as Liverpool have upped the tempo. The home side just need a bit of possession to get back into the game.
Rangers 1-1 Liverpool
20:28 , Michael Jones
27 mins: Fabinho is clipped in midfield and wins a free kick for Liverpool who send it down the left wing and earn a throw in. Tsimikas puts it into the bos to Nunez who sends it out to Jordan Henderson.
Henderson’s next pass is blocked on the edge of the box and Rangers threaten to counter but Virgil van Dijk steps up the pitch to recover the ball.
GOAL! Rangers 1-1 Liverpool (Firmino, 24’)⚽️
20:24 , Michael Jones
24 mins: Equaliser! Liverpool win a corner that Kostas Tsimikas curls into the near post where Roberto Firmino edge in front of James Tavernier and guides it softly past Allan McGregor.
All square at Ibrox, good repsonse from the Reds.
Rangers 1-0 Liverpool
20:23 , Michael Jones
20 mins: Liverpool have responded by pushing men up the pitch and working it over to Kostas Tsimikas on the left side. He knocks it to Fabinho who flicks it over to Carvalho.
Carvalho cuts into a more central area then drills an effort over the crossbar!
GOAL! Rangers 1-0 Liverpool (Arfield, 17’)⚽️
20:17 , Michael Jones
17 mins: Massive goal for Rangers! It’s their first one in the Champions League for 12 years!
Fabio Carvalho loses the ball to James Tavernier who knocks it up the pitch to Antonio Colak. He lays it off to Ryan Jack who threads a lovely pass into Scott Arfield
Arfield makes a run into the gap between Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez and nudges the ball into the box before lacing a low effort into the far bottom corner!
Rangers 0-0 Liverpool
20:14 , Michael Jones
12 mins: Close! Harvey Elliott goes on a fine run through the Rangers final third before flicking one over the top and finding Darwin Nunez in the box.
Nunez attempts to square it to Roberto Firmino for a certain goal but misplaces the pass and Rangers scurry it away. The whistle then goes as the assistant referee raises the offside flag against the Liverpool forward.
Rangers 0-0 Liverpool
20:11 , Michael Jones
9 mins: Rangers are getting stuck in here although Liverpool seem to be getting the better of things in midfield. The home side’s switch to four at the back seens to leave Liverpool with plenty of space out wide but they haven’t been able to utilise yet.
Jack is fed the ball by John Lundstram and then curls a cross in from the right wing but Virgil van Dijk has it under control and heads it clear.
Rangers 0-0 Liverpool
20:08 , Michael Jones
6 mins: Fabinho nods the ball forward from midfield and it’s flicked on by Fabio Carvalho. The ball bounces into space and Darwin Nunez looks to control it before getting hit with a sliding tackle from Ryan Jack who comes away with the ball.
Rangers 0-0 Liverpool
20:04 , Michael Jones
3 mins: Ibrahima Konate crunches Ryan Jack to the deck but wins the ball in the process. It’s a heavy tackle and athe referee awards Rangers a free kick.
The home side work it over to the right wing and win a throw in that is sent backwards. Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez chases the ball and forces it all the way back to Allan McGregor.
Kick off: Rangers 0-0 Liverpool
20:00 , Michael Jones
Harvey Elliott kicks off the match for Liverpool who are playing at Ibrox for the first time in 11 years. Teh Reds sends the ball down the left side of the pitch and put it out for a Rangers throw in.
Rangers vs Liverpool
19:57 , Michael Jones
Here come the teams!
The players make their way out onto the pitch at Ibrox. Rangers know they’ll be heading out of the Champions League if they lose. Liverpool will need just one point from their last two games to reach the knockouts if they win.
Kick off is up next…
Group A standings
19:48 , Michael Jones
In the early kick off tonight Napoli have defeated Ajax 4-2 to extend their lead at the top of Group A with a perfect 12 points from their four games.
The Italian side are already through to the knockout stages now but Liverpool will remain in touch with them if they win tonight.
Rangers will be eliminated from the Champions League if they lose.
Rangers vs Liverpool
19:45 , Michael Jones
15 minutes to go until kick off, which way is this one going to go tonight?
(Action Images via Reuters)
(PA)
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‘Our approach will be different’
19:40 , Michael Jones
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has promised that his team’s approach to tonight’s Champions League clash with Liverpool will be different and that the Scottish side will look to create more chances as they hunt for their first Champions League points of the season.
“We have to find more moments in the game when we can be dangerous,” he said, “Of course our approach will be different because we need points to hopefully play after the break in Europe. But, we are still going to be up against a very good side.
“We want to be able to proceed in Europe when we play our last game at home against Ajax. Hopefully we are in a situation where, with a good result, we can continue.
“We need to get points. Ideally three points and we have to see the other results.”
Ageing Liverpool fighting Father Time as well as faltering form
19:35 , Michael Jones
It is a Champions League double header for clubs connected by European Cup-winning captains. Graeme Souness and Steven Gerrard both lifted the trophy Liverpool prize most and managed Rangers. If Wednesday’s tie at Ibrox is part of Gerrard’s legacy, considering Rangers’ improvement in his tenure, Souness may assume a greater pertinence, given Liverpool’s plight.
His reign at Anfield was both controversial and unsuccessful but the backdrop was difficult. Souness returned to Merseyside as manager in 1991 and inherited an ageing team. His attempts at rejuvenation, and his signings of players such as Dean Saunders, Paul Stewart, Julian Dicks, Mark Walters, Nigel Clough and Neil Ruddock, backfired. Souness correctly identified a problem. In trying to solve it, he made Liverpool worse.
That may feel a theme now. It was Souness, rather than Sir Alex Ferguson, who Jamie Carragher argued knocked Liverpool off their perch; it was Jurgen Klopp who returned them there, making them champions in 2020, three decades after Kenny Dalglish’s final triumph, a year before Souness came in and started clearing out Peter Beardsley, Steve Staunton, Steve McMahon and Ray Houghton.
Ageing Liverpool fighting Father Time as well as faltering form
Salah closing in on record
19:30 , Michael Jones
Mohamed Salah has scored 35 Champions League goals for Liverpool – only Didier Drogba (36 for Chelsea) and Sergio Aguero (36 for Manchester City) have scored more for a Premier League side in the competition.
If he wants to join them tonight, he’ll have to do so from off the bench.
(Action Images via Reuters)
Rangers’ Champions League record
19:25 , Michael Jones
Of the 45 teams to have played at least 50 games in the Champions League, only Anderlecht (16.7%) have a lower win rate than Rangers (18.5% – 12 wins in 65 games).
(EPA)
Set piece specialists
19:20 , Michael Jones
Three of Liverpool’s five Champions League goals this season have come from set-pieces (one corner, one direct free-kick, one penalty), with both of their goals against Rangers coming via this method.
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Liverpool won’t be able to sign Jude Bellingham, Ian Wright believes
19:15 , Michael Jones
Ian Wright does not believe that Liverpool will be able to convince Jude Bellingham to sign for the club and thinks that Jurgen Klopp’s side find themselves in a “precarious postion”.
Bellingham has been linked with a move away from Borussia Dortmund after beginning the season in excellent form and establishing himself as one of Europe’s most coveted young midfielders.
The 19-year-old has been connected with Liverpool, who are seeking long-term solutions in a midfield struggling for fitness and form during a tough start to their Premier League campaign.
Wright has warned the club that they must overcome a “transitional period” and finish in the top four to have any hope of persuading Bellingham to join them ahead of other, more successful suitors.
Liverpool won’t be able to sign Jude Bellingham, Ian Wright believes
Rangers at Ibrox
19:10 , Michael Jones
Rangers have lost six of their last eight home games in the Champions League (with one win and one draw), including a 3-0 defeat to Napoli in their only one so far this season.
Furthermore, they have only scored four goals in their last nine home games in the competition and never more than once in a game in this period.
Rangers struggling for goals
19:06 , Michael Jones
Rangers have scored just seven goals in their last 16 Champions League games and never more than once in a game in that run. With Antonio Colak starting this evening can he give them the impetus to be more clinical in front of goal?
(AFP via Getty Images)
A new front three for Liverpool
19:00 , Michael Jones
Liverpool have scored in all but one of their previous 20 Champions League group games, finding the net in all 11 such fixtures since a 2-0 defeat at home to Atalanta in November 2020.
Can Klopp’s new look attacking line or Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino and Fabio Carvalho keep up the standards?
Trent Alexander-Arnold got ‘lucky’ as Jurgen Klopp provides Liverpool injury update
18:55 , Michael Jones
Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool got lucky with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ankle injury as the right-back may only be out for two weeks.
Liverpool had feared they would be without the England international for longer after he was hurt in a challenge with Gabriel Martinelli in Arsenal’s 3-2 win on Sunday.
But, while Liverpool are also without Luis Diaz until Boxing Day and Joel Matip for a couple of weeks, Klopp at least had some good news in the full-back positions with Alexander-Arnold potentially returning in time for their trip to Ajax and Andy Robertson, who has missed their last four games, in contention to make a comeback against Rangers on Wednesday.
Alexander-Arnold got ‘lucky’ as Klopp provides Liverpool injury update
Rangers vs Liverpool team changes
18:49 , Michael Jones
Giovanni van Bronckhorst makes just one change to the Rangers side that defeated St. Mirren at the weekend with Ryan Kent brought in to replace Rabbi Matondo. It’s a change in formation from the team that started at Anfield with the Scottish side reverting to a back four in defence.
Jurgen Klopp makes six changes to the Liverpool side that lost to Arsenal with the big headline being no Mo Salah. Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez slot into the defence with Harvey Elliott and Fabinho joining Jordan Henderson in midfield. Darwin Nunez continues to lead the line but he’s parterned by Fabio Carvalho and Roberto Firmino this time out.
Rangers vs Liverpool line-ups
18:43 , Michael Jones
Rangers XI: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Jack, Sakala, Arfield, Kent, Colak
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott; Carvalho, Firmino, Nunez
Can Liverpool win at Ibrox?
18:40 , Michael Jones
The Reds have not lost consecutive Champions League away games since 2019, when they followed up a 3-0 semi-final first-leg defeat in Barcelona with a 2-0 group-stage reverse in Naples.
Their last away game in this competition ended in a 4-1 defeat to Napoli on matchday one.
Rangers vs Liverpool
18:35 , Michael Jones
Rangers are winless (one draw, four defeats) and have failed to score in their last five European meetings with English sides, losing 2-0 in their first meeting with Liverpool last week.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have won three of their seven away games against Scottish sides in all competitions (two draws, two defeats).
However, they’ve never won consecutive such games, beating Heart of Midlothian 1-0 in their last visit in August 2012.
Van Bronckhorst targeting three points
18:29 , Michael Jones
Rangers boss, Giovanni van Bronckhorst if aiming to take all three points away from tonight’s encounter with Liverpool and has stressed the need for his players to take thier chances when they arrive.
Writing in the programme notes for tonight’s match he said: “Last week at Anfield, we got to see their strength and qualities, but we go into this evening’s game with determination and desire to claim all three Group A points on Matchday 4.
“Across the pitch, we will have to be sharp and focused, and when goalscoring chances come our way, it is so important we take them, so we lift the crowd and can then feed off that.”
Joel Matip joins lengthy Liverpool’s injury list with calf problem
18:24 , Michael Jones
Liverpool’s injury woes continue to mount after defender Joel Matip was ruled out for at least a couple of weeks with a calf problem.
Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Premier League leaders Arsenal has proved to be more damaging than just the actual result with Matip the third player to be forced off in the game now facing a lay-off.
Forward Luis Diaz, who left the Emirates on crutches and with a knee in a brace, has been ruled out until after the World Cup with a knee injury after scans on Monday highlighted a longer-term problem.
Under-fire defender Trent Alexander-Arnold came off with an ankle injury which will rule him out of the midweek trip to Rangers – where a win will go a long way to advancing their chances of making the Champions League knockout stage – and Sunday’s visit of Manchester City.
Matip was unlikely to have played at Ibrox after three matches in a week but it is understood he now faces an enforced absence.
Joel Matip joins lengthy Liverpool’s injury list with calf problem
Colak to start for Rangers?
18:18 , Michael Jones
Antonio Äolak was introdcued late on in the game at Anfield and could impose a threat on Liverpool with his team already two goals down by that time.
The Croatian is the man in form with 13 goals from 16 games including six in his last three Scottich Premiership fixtures.
His goal against PSV Eindhoven secured Champions League football for the club and it would not be a surprise if the manager turned to the in-form striker to lead the line tonight.
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Jurgen Klopp on returning to top form
18:12 , Michael Jones
After losing 3-2 to Arsenal on Sunday Liverpool sit 10th in the Premier League table and look to be a shadow of their former selves in terms of form. They haven’t been helped by injuries to key personnel but manager Jurgen Klopp says that they need to keep fighting to turn things around.
“We have to keep fighting, it will not happen overnight.” said the German in a pre-match press conference, “That we don’t play our absolute best football, I saw that, but again we played away against the team in form in the league [Arsenal], first in the table, a great team, top, really good players, all good, but we lost it in the way we lost it.
“Now it is difficult to judge. So what did we miss in this specific game? Just the right ref decisions would have been helpful, to be 100 per cent honest, and then we can judge the game new. If we had won that game, for the outside world our problems are completely sorted. We know it is not like that.
“Now we lost the game and three players, that’s obviously the opposite of what should have happened. The only thing we can do is to keep fighting – and that’s what we will do. Everybody who wanted to see it could see it; we fought against Arsenal really hard.”
‘There’s something special about Ibrox’
18:06 , Michael Jones
Rangers midfielder John Lundstram is backing the crowd at Ibrox to give the team added motivation to pull off a special result against Liverpool in Glasgow tonight.
“There’s something special about Ibrox on European nights,” Lundstram said. “As long as we’re up against them and laying a glove on them, hopefully we can get something.”
The 28-year-old joined Rangers from Sheffield United in 2021 and says last season’s run to the Europa League final, where they beat Red Star, Braga, RB Leipzig and drew with Borussia Dortmund in Glasgow, gives the players encouragement that they can achieve something similar tonight.
“At Ibrox, you have to get up against people, get the crowd up, get them going and try to instil a bit of fear in the opposition,” he said.
“Anyone who has been here will have felt the atmosphere, felt the aura around the place. If we can get up to them and in their faces, it might leave us open a bit and everyone will have to be brave in the stands and bear with us.
“If we can do that, that’s the only way we can get a result against a team like Liverpool, who are really talented.”
Jurgen Klopp says Didi Hamann ‘has no idea’ after criticism from former Liverpool midfielder
18:00 , Michael Jones
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp snapped at a reporter at a Champions League press conference after he asked about Didi Hamann’s criticism of him.
Former Liverpool player Hamann has said Klopp could lose his position with the Reds if their season doesn’t improve. Liverpool are 10th in the Premier League and have lost a Champions League match this season, with a tricky test at Rangers to come on Wednesday night.
When asked about Hamann’s comments that Liverpool lacked “spark”, Klopp retorted sarcastically: “Oh great, he’s a fantastic source, well respected everywhere. That [being a former Liverpool player] doesn’t give you the right to say what you want, especially when you have no idea.
“I actually think Didi Hamann doesn’t deserve that you use his phrase to ask me a question. Do me a favour and ask your own question. Try to ask a question without the word ‘spark’, that’s the challenge now.”
Jurgen Klopp says Didi Hamann ‘has no idea’ after criticism from ex-Liverpool player
Rangers vs Liverpool early team news and predicted line-ups
17:56 , Michael Jones
Giovanni van Bronckhorst will likely revert to his preferred back four after trying a back five at Anfield. Alfredo Morelos is still searching for fitness after an injury layoff while James Sands is back from suspension.
Klopp has fresh injury worries after Luis Diaz suffered knee damage against Arsenal and Trent Alexander-Arnold twisted his ankle. Joel Matip is out but Fabinho is likely to come back into the side in midfield. Midfielder Arthur Melo will be on the sidelines until next year at the earliest.
Predicted line-ups
Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Sands, Goldson, Barisic, Lundstram, Davis, Kamara, Sakala, Kent, Colak.
Liverpool: Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Thiago, Elliott, Salah, Firmino, Jota.
Rangers vs Liverpool
17:49 , Michael Jones
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action between Rangers and Liverpool.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah earned the Reds a 2-0 victory when the sides met at Anfield a week ago and manager Jurgen Klopp will be hoping his team repeat that performance tonight. In the time between these two games Liverpool slipped to defeat against Arsenal in the Premier League and are now 14 points adrift of the league leaders which may prompt them to target success in this season’s cup competitions. They currently sit second in Group A, three points behind Napoli, but a victory tonight would mean they only need to defeat Ajax to secure qualification.
Rangers, meanwhile, are still looking to secure their first point of the campaign having been defeated in all three of their Champions League fixtures so far. It’s been a harsh return to Europe’s top competition for the Scottish side but if ever there was a time to record a win it is against Liverpool at Ibrox in front of the home supporters.