Liverpool 2-0 Rangers (Alexander-Arnold 7′, Salah pen 53′)
Liverpool bounced back from last weekend’s disappointment against Brighton by cruising to a comfortable victory over Rangers in the Champions League.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s form has been a constant talking point in the opening weeks of the season and he silenced his critics, at least for one evening, with a superb free-kick to get Liverpool up and running.
Mo Salah made it two from the penalty spot in the second half with a confident finish that will do him the world of good after an unusually slow start to the campaign.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold, that's special!
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 4, 2022
A perfectly placed free-kick puts Liverpool ahead against Rangers
Superb stuff!#UCL pic.twitter.com/oP8ENMXwpz
Here’s how the players on both sides rated:
Liverpool player ratings
- Allison – Didn’t have a save to make in the first half. Composed with the ball at his feet as Rangers pressed higher up the pitch in the second and made a big save to deny Colak towards the end. 7
- Trent Alexander-Arnold – That’s one way to answer your critics. The right-back’s defensive qualities have been questioned but there’s no doubting his attacking prowess. A picture-perfect free-kick. Played some sensational passes too. 8
- Joel Matip – Left Morelos in a heap with a strong challenge at the start of the second half. Inches away from scoring a third late on but was beaten far too easily by Matondo who raced past him for a late chance. 7
- Virgil Van Dijk – Just mistimed his jump when it looked as though he would double Liverpool’s lead. Marshalled Morelos well and didn’t have much to do from a defensive standpoint. 7
- Kostas Tsimikas – Had a poor game against Brighton but much more assured in this one. Pocketed the quiet Tillman and made a superb goal-line intervention to prevent Rangers from setting up a nervy ending.7
- Thiago Alcantara – Dictated the tempo in midfield and even broke into a sprint now and again. He must have been reading Garth Crooks’ column… 7
- Jordan Henderson – Set the tone with his pressing from midfield and after an energetic display was given the final 20 minutes off. Not that he looked too happy about it… 7
- Mo Salah – Had only scored once in his last six appearances prior to the game but took the penalty with typical aplomb, knocking the ball straight down the middle. 7
- Luis Diaz – A constant menace to Rangers’ right flank with his roving runs from out to in and it was from one such dart that he won the penalty. Missed a sitter but his blushes were spared by the offside flag. 8
- Diogo Jota – Played in a slightly different role as a No 10 as Klopp switched to a 4-2-3-1 system but took to it well. Was left mystified as McGregor palmed a ferocious shot over the bar from point-blank range. An encouraging evening as he steps up his fitness 7
- Darwin Nunez – Too eager to make an impression and rushed things, be it with his shooting or passing. Was denied four times by McGregor in the first half and probably should have scored two of them, while he lost the ball too easily on occasion. Improved after the restart but looks desperate for a goal. 6
Subs:
- Roberto Firmino – 6
- Fabinho – 6
- James Milner – N/A
- Harvey Elliott – N/A
- Joe Gomez – N/A
Rangers player ratings
- Allan McGregor – Made four saves from Nunez alone in the opening 45 minutes but could do nothing to stop Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick. Prevented Jota with arguably his best save of the night. The scoreline would have been far more emphatic were it not for the 40-year-old’s efforts. 9
- James Tavernier – Unable to showcase his attacking capabilities and instead it was an evening that highlighted the Rangers’ skipper’s defensive deficiencies. Simply couldn’t handle Diaz. 5
- Leon King – Only 18 and acquitted himself well before conceding a penalty after being tempted into a challenge by Diaz’s dancing feet. Will be a good learning experience nonetheless. 5
- Conor Goldson – Ruffled Nunez’s feathers in the opening stages and won his fair share of headers. Did well up against the physical Nunez. 6
- Ben Davies – Finally 20 months after joining Liverpool from Preston North End, Ben Davies made his Anfield bow… in a Rangers shirt. Neat and tidy on the ball and made a couple of good interceptions. 6
- Borna Barisic – With Tavernier pinned back, Barisic looked to give Rangers an outlet on the left but he was let down by poor service. Had a decent night considering Salah was lively. 6
- John Lundstram – A boyhood Liverpool fan despite coming through at Everton. Booked for a poor challenge on Jota and was unable to impose himself on Liverpool’s midfield. 5
- Steven Davis – Struggled with the pace of the game at times and was replaced by Ryan Jack midway through the second half in a bid to freshen things up. 5
- Ryan Kent – The Liverpool academy graduate looked the most likely to fashion something for the visitors but his final ball lacked quality. 5
- Malik Tillman – Given a warm Anfield welcome by Van Dijk who shoved him over 90 seconds in and it didn’t get much better for the Bayern Munich loanee from that point onwards. Barely had a kick. 5
- Alfredo Morelos – A surprise starter over summer signing Antonio Colak in attack. Starved of service from the first minute and eventually replaced by the Croatian. 5
Subs:
- Fashion Sakala – 6
- Ryan Jack – 6
- Antonio Colak – 6
- Glen Kamara – 6
- Rabbi Matondo – 7
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