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Liverpool 2-0 Rangers LIVE! Champions League result, match stream, latest reaction and updates today

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers LIVE! Champions League result, match stream, latest reaction and updates today

Liverpool vs Rangers – LIVE!

Jurgen Klopp’s tactical tweak earned Liverpool a welcome 2-0 Champions League win and only Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor prevented a greater margin of victory in a one-sided affair at Anfield. The 40-year-old former Scotland international was by far the busiest player for the visitors, who even against out-of-sorts opposition struggled to bridge the gulf between the Scottish Premiership and Premier League.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side arrived on Merseyside encouraged by Liverpool’s inconsistent form and incoherent defending but Klopp’s decision to switch formations in order to solve a mini-crisis of confidence had the desired effect. That they did not score more than Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick and Mohamed Salah’s penalty early in each half owed plenty to McGregor, who made four first-half saves from Darwin Nunez alone.

The victory, coupled with Ajax’s defeat to Group A leaders Napoli, opened up a three-point cushion for Liverpool to the Dutch side and a win at Ibrox next week would go a long way to securing their progress to the knockout stage.

Liverpool vs Rangers highlights

  • GOAL! Salah lifts penalty over McGregor

  • GOAL! Alexander-Arnold with superb free-kick

  • Liverpool team news: Change of shape for attacking Reds

  • Rangers team news: Davies starts against former club

Liverpool FC 2 - 0 Rangers FC

Match report

22:27 , Matt Verri

Liverpool produced one of their most convincing displays of the season to beat Rangers 2-0 at Anfield in the Champions League.

While that is far from the highest of bars, the Reds producing a string of poor performances both domestically and in Europe in recent months, the trademark aggression and intensity made a welcome return for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Trent Alexander-Arnold put himself back in the spotlight, this time for reasons he’ll be far happier with as he curled a stunning free-kick to put Liverpool in front in the early stages.

An equaliser from Rangers never looked likely but the Reds ensured there was no need for any nerves as they doubled the lead after the break, Mohamed Salah dispatching a penalty after Luis Diaz had been brought down.

Read our full report

 (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Napoli in charge of Group!

22:01 , Matt Verri

Elsewhere in the group... Ajax 1-6 Napoli.

Three from three for Napoli and they are absolutely flying in the Champions League!

One of many for McGregor tonight...

21:55 , Matt Verri

FT: Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

21:52 , Matt Verri

Job done for Liverpool and overall it’s a really impressive display, even with a couple of shaky moments at the back late on.

Another win at Ibrox next week and they’ll be well on course to progress from Group A.

 (PA)
(PA)

21:50 , Matt Verri

90+3 mins: Gomez is indeed on, replacing Alexander-Arnold.

Klopp turns to the crowd and tells them to make some more noise, he wants his right-back to get a big ovation.

21:48 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Four minutes added on. Liverpool coasting to the final whistle, despite that brief scare.

Joe Gomez set to come on.

21:44 , Matt Verri

86 mins: Tsimikas that is incredible!

Matondo curls an effort towards the far corner, left-back charges into his own six-yard box and somehow diverts the ball over his own bar.

Alisson then has to make a big save - Rangers piling on the pressure all of a sudden.

21:41 , Matt Verri

84 mins: This is Milner’s 300th Liverpool appearance. Not bad considering he had about a million for other clubs before then.

Tavernier has to get back well to put a cross behind for another corner. That’s number 13 for Liverpool.

Great delivery, Matip powers a header inches wide of the far post.

21:38 , Matt Verri

80 mins: Huge ovation for Nunez, his night is over. McGregor keeps his unbeaten record against the striker, 4-0 tonight. Small wins...

Elliott on to replace the striker, with Milner introduced for Thiago.

21:35 , Matt Verri

77 mins: Nunez still charging into the challenges, no easing off from him. Rangers unable to get any sort of comfortable possession in the Liverpool half.

Match petering out a bit.

21:32 , Matt Verri

74 mins: Nunez in behind, will he finally beat McGregor?

Cuts it back instead, Diaz throws himself at it and somehow can’t direct it on target. Not that it matters, Nunez was offside anyway.

Match becoming more and more stretched. Rangers aren’t enjoying that.

21:30 , Matt Verri

72 mins: Alexander-Arnold having a brilliant game, though he hasn’t been tested at all going back in defence.

Stunning ball in behind to Diaz, offside flag goes up to deny Liverpool.

21:27 , Matt Verri

69 mins: Jota and Henderson off, Firmino and Fabinho on. Van Dijk will take the captain’s armband.

Firmino has been in fine form this season, he’ll be looking to add to that tonight.

21:25 , Matt Verri

67 mins: Sakala and Jack on for the visitors and almost an immediate impact.

Sloppy from Matip, Sakala can work it onto his left foot and get a shot away. Drags it badly wide.

21:23 , Matt Verri

65 mins: Rangers pinned back in their own box, struggling to get out.

One goal and they’re right back in it - unfortunately that looks a long way away. Liverpool have barely been tested at all in defence all night.

21:21 , Matt Verri

63 mins: Nunez with space to drive into, unsure whether to shoot or pass to Salah. Opts to pretty much shoot at Salah as a middle ground, pass has so much pace on it. Egyptain can’t do much with that.

Alexander-Arnold gets things back on track for Liverpool, whips a cross that looks destined to find Nunez. Goldson flicks it away.

21:17 , Matt Verri

60 mins: Stunning from McGregor! He’s stopped this being seven or eight.

Jota turns in the box, absolutely hammers a shot towards the top corner and McGregor does brilliantly to somehow tip it over the bar.

21:15 , Matt Verri

58 mins: It’s now 4-1 to Napoli against Ajax in Amsterdam. Italian side completely in control of Group A.

Rangers pressing a bit higher up the pitch now, but that will suit Liverpool. Plenty of space if they can beat the press.

21:13 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Dangerous moments now for Rangers, Liverpool flying. Salah inside onto his left foot once more, looks to pass it into the far corner but it’s blocked.

Play halted, Goldson and Diaz both down after colliding into each other. Nothing too serious it looks like.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Rangers | Mohamed Salah 53'

21:11 , Matt Verri

SALAH MAKES NO MISTAKE!

McGregor goes the right way but it’s lifted over him. Liverpool in complete control now.

PENALTY LIVERPOOL!

21:10 , Matt Verri

Had to be. Henderson pings the ball out to Diaz, he runs straight at King and drives into the box.

Lundstram and King both stick out a leg, it was King who made the contact. Easy decision for the referee.

21:08 , Matt Verri

51 mins: Decent chance for Rangers to counter, poor ball across the face of goal by Kent and it’s behind for a goal-kick.

At the other end of the pitch, Salah finds Nunez and he curls an effort over the bar. McGregor not called upon this time.

21:07 , Matt Verri

49 mins: King again involved, this time having to track a run in behind by Tsimikas.

Diaz had found the left-back, King across to close him down and concedes the corner. Liverpool have had plenty of these.

Matip can’t get on the end of it, Rangers hammer it up the pitch.

21:04 , Matt Verri

46 mins: Nine seconds into the second-half and King is left in a heap on the floor. Challenged Nunez in the air and took a blow to the head, free-kick given.

Rangers defender up and fine to continue, still stretching out his jaw though.

Back underway!

21:03 , Matt Verri

Up and running again at Anfield - Liverpool will be hoping for more of the same.

Stats tell the story

20:57 , Matt Verri

Liverpool utterly dominant and the stats make that clear.

Rangers with a flat back five, which has stopped them getting forward very much. More worryingly, they don’t even look particularly solid with it.

Only goal of the first 45 minutes...

20:52 , Matt Verri

HT: Liverpool 1-0 Rangers

20:48 , Matt Verri

No added-time, so that will be the break.

Liverpool have the lead thanks to Alexander-Arnold’s early free-kick. Reds dominant since then, but McGregor has kept the deficit at just the one goal.

Rangers still in it.

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

20:46 , Matt Verri

44 mins: Make thay McGregor 4-0 Nunez. Another save with the striker through on goal, Rangers refuse to mark him.

Liverpool swiftly back on the attack, lay it off to Thiago and he fires the shot over the bar.

20:45 , Matt Verri

43 mins: Kent with a sloppy pass and he sets Liverpool away on the counter.

Goldson flies up from defence and makes a heavy challenge on halfway, just about does enough to get the ball and win a throw-in.

20:43 , Matt Verri

41 mins: McGregor 3-0 Nunez.

Salah again runs straight at Barisic, allowed to cut onto his left foot once more. Madness.

Slides a lovely pass through to Nunez, McGregor charges off his line to produce the save again.

20:42 , Matt Verri

40 mins: A seventh corner of the match for Liverpol, Salah in behind this time and Goldson puts it behind.

Rangers once again deal with it well though, Alexander-Arnold then puts pressure on Tsimikas as he plays the ball back. Left-back deals with it well.

20:40 , Matt Verri

38 mins: As clear a yellow card as you’ll ever see.

Henderson clips the ball forward, Jota chests it down and is about to set Nunez away when Lundstram very cynically takes him out.

Painful one for Jota, should be fine to continue. Not impressed with that challenge though.

20:38 , Matt Verri

36 mins: Diaz skips Davis, so easy. Strolls into the box, decides to pass it at goal and McGregor is very grateful he does so.

Strange finish - anything a bit more powerful and it’s surely 2-0. McGregor producing one of his trademark European performances so far.

20:36 , Matt Verri

34 mins: Liverpool much slower in possession now, Rangers sitting in a decent shape. Hosts nowhere near as dangerous when they’re just knocking it around.

They burst into life now though, ball over the top and Nunez is in. McGregor with a great save to keep his side in it.

20:33 , Matt Verri

31 mins: Tavernier with another poor pass, straight to Alexander-Arnold this time. His cross is headed out, but Lundstram immediately gives it away.

Rangers not helping themselves on the rare occasion they do get possession.

20:30 , Matt Verri

28 mins: Inches away from 2-0!

Alexander-Arnold with a brilliant delivery, Van Dijk flicks it on and it means Jota misses out on a tap-in at the back post by about two inches. Rangers just about survive.

20:29 , Matt Verri

27 mins: Seems to have escaped Barisic’s attention that Salah is left-footed. Keeps letting him cut inside off the right wing.

Brilliant reverse pass through to Nunez, he cuts it back but Davis is there to put it behind for a corner.

Tsimikas whips it in, Lundstram heads the ball away. Comes back in though, Goldson concedes another corner.

20:26 , Matt Verri

24 mins: Change in shape is leaving Liverpool with so many players forward every time they attack. When you add in the fact Alexander-Arnold and Tsimikas are effectively playing as wingers, it’s a tough task for Rangers.

Have to just keep it at 1-0 for now though, they’re still in it. No sign of the Liverpool vulnerabilities at the back that we’ve seen all season so far.

20:24 , Matt Verri

22 mins: Defending really erratic from Rangers, don’t look comfortable at all when Liverpool press.

Tavernier with a loose pass, Matip has charged up to intercept and Liverpool are back on the attack. Luckily for Rangers, the ball bobbles around in the box and McGregor can fall on it.

20:21 , Matt Verri

19 mins: Tavernier standing over it, surely too wide for the shot though.

He decides not, fired straight into the wall. Falls for Kent who goes for maximum power and has minimum accuracy to go with it. High into the stands.

20:20 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Better from Rangers, ball played into Kent and he turns really nicely away from Henderson.

Gets his body between the ball and Alexander-Arnold, waits for the slight contact and tumbles to the ground. Gets the decision.

Good position for Rangers, up come the defenders.

20:18 , Matt Verri

16 mins: That cannot be the Rangers gameplan. So much space on the right wing for Salah and he can just drive at Barisic, who makes no attempt to stop him cutting inside onto his left foot.

Salah does just that, curls an effort towards the far corner and it’s tipped behind. Great save.

Initial corner cleared, Thiago whips it back in but Barisic does well to stop Matip getting a run on him.

20:16 , Matt Verri

14 mins: Things have just slowed down a bit, Liverpool happy to just let the Rangers back three pass it side to side for now.

Reds far more direct when they win it back, Nunez makes the run down the right wing. Hooks a cross into the box, can’t pick out a team-mate though and McGregor can easily claim.

20:14 , Matt Verri

12 mins: Diaz jinks past the challenges, onto his right foot. Not enough curl on the strike though, wide of the far post.

Liverpool absolutely brilliant so far - they’ll want another goal to really take control of the match.

20:12 , Matt Verri

10 mins: Rangers cannot keep the ball, Liverpool flying into the challenges and the visitors aren’t responding.

Hosts charge forward again, cross charged down and it’s a corner. Alexander-Arnold strolls over to take it.

Delivery is... irrelevant as the whistle has gone for a Rangers free-kick. Nunez then gets into a shoving match with Goldson, what is he doing.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Rangers | Alexander-Arnold 7'

20:09 , Matt Verri

LIVERPOOL TAKE THE LEAD!

Alexander-Arnold with an absolutely stunning free-kic, one way to answer the recent criticism!

Perfect start for the Reds.

20:08 , Matt Verri

6 mins: Rangers struggling to cope with Liverpool’s intensity, brilliant move forward from the hosts.

Tsimikas plays it into Nunez’s feet with his back to goal, striker gets brought down 25 yards out. Unnecessary foul.

Alexander-Arnold will fancy this.

20:06 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Van Dijk loops the header towards goal, Rangers get it away at the second time of asking. Quick start from Liverpool as was expected.

Long ball over the top, Salah thinks he’s been dragged down by Barisic. Referee does not.

20:04 , Matt Verri

3 mins: Liverpool with all of the possession in the opening moments, but Goldson does well to step out and halt Nunez’s progress.

It is indeed a 4-2-3-1 for Liverpool, Henderson and Thiago in front of the back four. Jota floating around the pitch but mainly a number 10.

Liverpool work it into the box, Nunez with a snap shot and it’s parried away. They win the first corner of the match.

KICK-OFF!

20:02 , Matt Verri

A minute’s silence is held in memory of the victims of the tragic events in Indonesia.

Up and running for what is a massive match for both sides.

Players are out!

19:58 , Matt Verri

We’ll be underway at Anfield in just a few minutes’ time now.

Players are out onto the pitch, met with flares going off in the away end and a strong booing of the Champions League anthem.

Pre-match fun out the way. Ready for the main event.

Here we go...

19:54 , Matt Verri

You’lll Never Walk Alone - tick!

Anfield in fine voice as ever on a big European night, atmosphere only helped by the Rangers fans too.

Stage is set for it to be a memorable occasion - time for the players to deliver.

Ten minutes to go!

19:49 , Matt Verri

How it stands

19:45 , Matt Verri

Reminder of how it’s looking in Group A after the first two group-stage matches.

Napoli lead the way on six points, after comfortable wins over both Liverpool and Rangers. Jurgen Klopp’s side sit second, with the same points as Ajax in third as both sides have one win.

Rangers bottom of the group, no points yet. Can’t afford to leave it too much longer...

Van Bronckhorst’s pre-match thoughts...

19:37 , Matt Verri

“It’s obviously a stage we want to perform on and enjoy these moments.

“Big game for us, for the players to be playing here at Anfield. I played here only once in my career. For us to be here, the first time against Liverpool is a good moment.

“We have to be ready, not give away a lot of space in our half and try to be ready for moments to be dangerous when we have the ball.”

Pre-match montage? Go on then...

19:28 , Matt Verri

19:19 , Matt Verri

Another start for Kostas Tsimikas tonight, with Andy Robertson still out of the squad with injury.

The left-back has urged his team-mates to put their recent disappointments behind them and to respond in style tonight.

“We were not happy at the weekend but we have to fight back,” Tsimikas told BT Sport.

“We have to fight and keep going. We have to win games.”

 (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Spirits high in the Rangers camp!

19:12 , Matt Verri

Klopp: We will improve

19:06 , Matt Verri

Jurgen Klopp has been speaking ahead of kick-off, and it’s no surprise that the focus is on lifting his players and getting the mood back to where it has been in recent seasons.

“You only get confidence from results,” Klopp told BT Sport.

“We will find a way back, we play every three days, we get tested, we need to sort the problems by finding solutions. We will find a way back, I can assure everyone, we are really on it.”

 (PA)
(PA)

Liverpool in the building!

18:59 , Matt Verri

Reds go all out

18:52 , Matt Verri

Big news for Liverpool is that Klopp appears to have moved away from his favoured 4-3-3, in favour of an extra attacker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Salah, Jota, Diaz and Nunez all start for the Reds, with Henderson and Thiago partnering each other in midfield. Konate on the bench, so Matip continues alongside Van Dijk.

For Rangers, a back five as they look to contain the hosts. Davies starts against his former side, while Morelos leads the line for the Scottish side.

Rangers team news

18:46 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: McGregor, King, Goldson, Davies, Tavernier, Lundstram, Davis, Tillman, Barisic, Kent, Morelos

Subs: McCrorie, McLaughlin, Yilmaz, Jack, Colak, Matondo, Kamara, Wright, Sakala, Arfield, Devine

Liverpool team news

18:40 , Matt Verri

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

Subs: Adrian, Kelleher, Gomez, Fabinho, Konate, Milner, Firmino, Elliott, Ramsay, Carvalho, Phillips, Bajcetic

Rangers need to deliver

18:37 , Matt Verri

As for Rangers - improvement needed. To put it mildly.

Last season’s Europa League finalists were hammered 4-0 by Ajax in their opening group-stage match, before following it up with a 3-0 defeat at Ibrox against Napoli.

They were certainly better in the match though, and were reduced to ten men when it was still 0-0.

No points from two matches though, they need to get something from these back-to-back fixtures against Liverpool.

Matip to the rescue

18:30 , Matt Verri

Liverpool were not far away from having just one point from their opening two group-stage matches.

As it is they have three, after Joel Matip provided a late winner last time out against Ajax. It’s rarely dull at Anfield on European nights...

Klopp not surprised by confidence drop

18:22 , Matt Verri

Jurgen Klopp stressed that even the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not immune from dips in confidence.

Liverpool have endured a difficult start to the season, with a 3-3 draw at home to Brighton on Saturday leaving them with only 10 points.

Napoli ran out 4-1 winners in their opening Champions League outing too, putting even more pressure on tonight’s clash with Rangers.

Klopp is remaining patient but knows the tie at home has already become a key game in Group A.

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

“Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo at this moment is top of his confidence levels?”

Read the full story

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Visitors have arrived!

18:13 , Matt Verri

Prediction

18:07 , Matt Verri

Rangers certainly have the quality to punish any defensive mistakes but Liverpool are due a big performance at home.

With the Scottish side looking incredibly vulnerable themselves in their opening two group-stage matches, the Reds should get plenty of chances tonight.

Liverpool to win, 2-1.

Rangers team news

17:56 , Matt Verri

For Rangers, Tom Lawrence and John Souttar are out until after the World Cup but ex-Liverpool defender Ben Davies could feature against his former club. Kemar Roofe is pushing to play after returning to training in what would be a key boost.

Allan McGregor will be in goal, while James Sands is suspended.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Liverpool team news

17:46 , Matt Verri

Ibrahima Konate could return for Liverpool having recently ramped up his recovery with a return to full training. Andy Robertson, however, is still out along with Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Calvin Ramsay.

Diogo Jota is pushing for a start along with Luis Diaz, while Roberto Firmino’s fine form may not be enough to see him keep his place with Darwin Nunez also available. The biggest decisions come in midfield, where Harvey Elliott is pressuring Jordan Henderson for a start.

Liverpool predicted XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Diaz

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

How to watch Liverpool vs Rangers

17:38 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, tonight’s game will be broadcast live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Ultimate, with coverage beginning at 6:30pm.

Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will also have access to a live stream online via the BT Sport app or website.

LIVE coverage: Follow all tonight’s action right here with us.

Good evening!

15:11 , Matt Verri

Hello and and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of tonight’s huge clash between Liverpool and Rangers!

Jurgen Klopp’s side continue to fall well below their usual standards, but Rangers arrive with confidence low themselves after two heavy European defeats.

Kick-off in the Champions League group game at Anfield is at 8pm BST.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)