Liverpool secured a confidence-building victory in the Champions League as Rangers were comfortably dismissed at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have struggled for form this season but a desperate Scottish side represented the perfect opposition to get back to winning ways as Liverpool edged closer to a place in the knockout stages.
Rangers fans traveled to Merseyside in their thousands and shouted their support during an embarrassingly one-sided contest which Liverpool should have won by far more emphatically.
Trent Alexander-Arnold put Liverpool ahead after just seven minutes when he clipped a superb 25-yard free-kick into the top corner only to be saved by veteran keeper Alan McGregor, particularly to the frustration of Darwin Nunez. Back-to-back saves kept the Rangers in check.
Liverpool finally got the second goal they deserved eight minutes after the break when Mohamed Salah scored from the penalty spot after Leon King fouled Luis Diaz.
Rangers, who have not won a point from three games in Group A, had a late chance when Kostas Tasmikas cleared off the line from Rabi Matondo but were outclassed by Liverpool who took top gear to win. There was no need to kill.
Get an Easy Ride to Liverpool.
The build-up to this Champions League clash included the usual ‘Battle of Britain’ narrative as Rangers traveled south of the border to Anfield to test their credentials against one of the Premier League’s elite.
In fact, it was over as a contest when Alexander-Arnold showed great technique to curl his free kick past McGregor. Liverpool never looked back and Rangers never posed a serious threat.
Liverpool’s only disappointment was that they didn’t make the most of the chances they did create, with the hard-working Nunes hitting the target with most of his efforts and showing good movement, only to have his finishes tipped by McGregor. To keep very close to. Opportunities
For all their dominance, Liverpool relied on a brilliant free kick and penalty to secure the win.
It was the ideal game for them to find some rhythm and pace, with Klopp opting for an all-out attacking line-up with a front four of Salah, Nunez, Diaz and Diego Jota.
They will surely face a tough test in the return game at an opposition Ibrox but it couldn’t have been more comfortable, making it a satisfying night for Klopp, who saw Liverpool back to their best. Wanted to see it coming.
The win also puts Liverpool in a good place to reach the knockout stages, who sit second with six points from three games and move three points clear of third-placed Ajax, who are at home. Lost 6-1 to Napoli.
