Liverpool’s victory over Rangers, thanks to a brilliant first-half free kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold and a second-half penalty by Mohamed Salah, reached six points after three games in their Champions League group stage.
Liverpool’s victory over Rangers, thanks to a brilliant first-half free kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold and a second-half penalty by Mohamed Salah, reached six points after three games in their Champions League group stage.
Liverpool overcame their recent stutters to finish second in Group A after beating Rangers comfortably 2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The win, thanks to a brilliant first-half free kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold and a second-half penalty by Mohamed Salah, put the six-time European champions on six points after three games – three points behind leaders Napoli.
The Scots, who had barely threatened Liverpool with a bagpipe-player, to the dismay of their ardent fans, are at the bottom of the group with zero points.
In need of a morale boost after their poor start in the Premier League, Liverpool’s four-man attack from Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nez closed out Rangers. In contrast, Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos was largely isolated in the audience.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp was pleased with his team’s clean and confident performance, albeit against an apparently weak opposition, especially Alexander-Arnold’s first goal, which he defended against recent criticism.
Alexander-Arnold, whose chances of making England’s World Cup squad are in limbo after a recent low-level performance, hit a brilliant free kick to the wall and in the seventh minute left Rangers keeper Alan McGregor to lift the roof from Anfield. Gave.
“It’s been a slow start to the season, but I’m looking forward to the rest of the season,” said Alexander-Arnold. ,
“The performance was great from the boys. On Saturday, it was disappointing. It was the exact opposite today,” he said, referring to Liverpool’s 3-3 home draw with Brighton over the weekend.
league in the bay
Liverpool’s Nunez could have had a hat-trick in the first half as McGregor made four consecutive saves from the Uruguay striker.
But it was Salah who scored the second goal from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute after Diaz came down the box.
The so-called “Battle of Britain” conflict underscored the difference in quality between the top flight divisions in England and Scotland.
Rangers looked tired and exhausted trying to stop Liverpool’s attacks as intuitive Thiago Alcantara blocked the attacks and fed through balls from midfield.
Virgil van Dijk, who has been in the firing line for Liverpool’s leaky defense of late, was barely upset at the back, although Rangers substitute Rabbi Matondo forced a goal line clearance from Costas Simikas in the dying minutes.
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst said, “We are competing against one of the best sides in Europe. The level we are facing is very high and the level we have today is to get out of the game.” was not enough.”
However, the former Netherlands midfielder praised his side for restricting Liverpool to two goals and a better performance in the second half. “We will learn from this game,” he said, calling out goalkeeper McGregor for a strong performance.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson said the win was a relief after recent pressure on the team, which sit ninth in the Premier League and lost their first Group A clash to Napoli.
“It felt good there,” he said.
“You try not to listen to social media, especially when you’re going through a tough time as a team. But it can be difficult, it can hurt. You have to try and use it as fuel. Have to find a way to use it when you get it out on the pitch.”