Liverpool will host Rangers in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, hoping to get their 2022/23 campaign back on track with a win here.
Liverpool succumbed to a humiliating defeat against Napoli in their UEFA Champions League opener. But they bounced back with a narrow 2-1 win over Ajax in their last outing in Europe. They will hope to build on that win and pick up all three points against Rangers at Anfield this week.
The Reds have a far better squad at their disposal, and they will be the firm favourites heading into the contest.
Meanwhile, Rangers are at the bottom of the group, having failed to pick up a single victory in the group stage so far. However, they will be aware of Liverpool’s inconsistencies this season, and the Scottish outfit will be looking to pull off an upset.
Liverpool have been quite vulnerable, and they are coming into this contest on the back of a 3-3 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend. They could have easily lost the game had it not been for Alisson Becker, who pulled off a number of important saves at crucial junctures of the game.
The Liverpool defence has been struggling since the start of the season, and it remains to be seen whether they can get the job done against Rangers. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
The boss previewed tomorrow's #UCL match against Rangers 🗣
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 3, 2022
Liverpool have a number of injuries in the defensive department for the midweek game against Rangers. Ibrahima Konate is ruled out with an injury. Meanwhile, first-choice left-back Andrew Robertson is sidelined as well. Summer signing Calvin Ramsay is still recovering from his knock, and young midfielder Curtis Jones is out with an injury.
The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita were not included in the Champions League squad and will also miss out. But Liverpool are unlikely to make too many changes to the side held at home against Brighton.
Alisson Becker is set to continue in goal after his impressive performances in recent weeks. Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to start as right-back given the lack of options in the department. The England international has been criticised for his poor defensive displays, but he remains an asset going forward and will be determined to showcase his quality against Rangers.
Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk are expected to pair up at the heart of the Liverpool defence. Kostas Tsimikas should start in place of the injured Robertson. Up ahead in midfield, Fabinho is expected to start as the defensive midfielder, and he will be tasked with breaking the play up and winning the ball back for his side.
Thiago Alcantara is set to start as well, and he will be Liverpool’s main source of creativity. Young midfielder Harvey Elliott could be handed a start as well. The youngster has impressed this season, picking up the club’s Player of the Month award for August and September. Elliott is expected to be the creative link between the attack and the midfield.
Colombian winger Luis Diaz is expected to start as the left-sided attacker in a front three. Diaz has been one of Liverpool’s best players this season, and the Reds will need him as they look to break down the Rangers defence.
Club record signing Darwin Nunez did not start against Brighton and is expected to be given a run out here. A goal against Rangers could do Nunez a world of good in terms of rebuilding his confidence. Mohamed Salah has not found his goalscoring boots yet, but he will start as the right-winger as he looks to add to his tally.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Elliott, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Rangers
The visitors have a long injury list heading into Anfield this week. Rangers will be without key attacking players like Kemar Roofe, and Ianis Hagi. Filip Helander, Tom Lawrence, Jon McLaughlin and John Souttar are sidelined with injuries as well. James Sands picked up a red card against Napoli and is ineligible for this game.
The experienced Allan McGregor will start in goal for Rangers. The back four will comprise James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, and Borna Barisic. Ben Davies is set to replace Sands in the back four as the left-sided centre back.
Rangers are likely to field a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ryan Jack and John Lundstram starting at the base of their midfield. Both players will be expected to break up the play and shield the back four.
Rabbi Matondo, Steven Davis and former Liverpool player Ryan Kent will start in behind the striker, Antonio-Mirko Colak, who has eight goals in his last eight league games. Alfredo Morelos is likely to start on the bench. He has started just once in all competitions this season.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic; Lundstram, Jack; Matondo, Davis, Kent; Colak
Key Stats
- Rangers have failed to win 25 of their last 28 matches (Champions League).
- Liverpool have conceded five goals in two champions league matches this season.
- Liverpool have conceded eight goals in their last three matches across all competitions.
- Rangers have failed to score in the last two champions league matches.
- Rangers have conceded seven goals in their last two champions league matches.
Player to Watch
Darwin Nunez
The Uruguayan striker has had a difficult start to life at Anfield since his big-money move from Benfica. So far, Nunez has started just two matches across all competitions, scoring twice and picking up an assist.
Roberto Firmino started the game against Brighton, and it is fair to assume that Nunez will get an opportunity against Rangers. This could provide him with the perfect opportunity to get on the score sheet and force Klopp to consider him as a regular starter going forward. The former Benfica striker will be desperate to get on the scoresheet here.
Prediction
Liverpool 3-1 Rangers
Neither side have done well in the Champions League so far this season, but Liverpool are a much better team and will be under pressure to grind out a positive result. The draw against Brighton will have left Jurgen Klopp frustrated and he will demand a strong reaction from his players. The Reds should be able to pick up a comfortable win at home.
