Rangers rock-bottom as Champions League struggles continue: Liverpool 2-0 Rangers
Rangers’ players warm up on the Anfield turf ahead of kick-off (Image: Matthew Davidson)
Rangers failed once again to not only gain points, but hit the ball at the back of the net as they fell to defeat at Anfield.
The battle of the Brit’s started at a blistering pace as the Gers were immediately on the back-foot as the Reds piled on the pressure in the first five minutes.
The game could not have gotten off to a worse start as Davies committed a foul on Nunez outside the box, gifting the hosts a free-kick which Alexander-Arnold wonderfully converted in the seventh minute.
It was obvious that the intensity of the game, as well as Liverpool’s superior abilities, were too much for Van Bronckhorst’s side as they struggled to win the ball- and even on the occasions when they did, the passes were sloppy and misplaced.
Liverpool picked up where they left off after the interval as they continued their relentless pressure in the visitor’s half.
Great direct play from Diaz inside the box attracted a clumsy foul from King which resulted in a penalty for the hosts. Salah looked confident as he slotted the ball into the middle of the net, thus, doubling his side’s advantage in the 53rd minute.
Matondo came close for the Scottish side in the 85th minute, which would’ve lifted the fans’ spirits, however, he was denied by an immense clearance from Tsimikas.
This is another disappointing result from the Gers, although, if not for heroic saves from McGregor, the score line could have been embarrassing.
The Champions League seems to be too big of a step-up after the Europa League final last season, as the quality of the teams in the group is unplayable at times.
They will have to once again pick themselves up and look forward to the second-leg at Ibrox and hope that the atmosphere helps them perform to the standard that is required against Europe’s elite.