Rangers were easily defeated at Anfield as Liverpool cruised to a confidence-boosting Champions League victory.
Jurgen Klopp’s team has struggled for form this season, but a disappointing Scottish team provided the ideal opportunity to get back on track as Liverpool moved closer to a place in the knockout phase.
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Rangers fans flocked to Merseyside in their droves, cheering their team on throughout an embarrassingly one-sided match that Liverpool should have won much more emphatically.
Trent Alexander-Arnold put Liverpool ahead after just seven mi Cnutes with a perfect 25-yard free-kick into the top corner, and only veteran keeper Allan McGregor kept the Rangers in range with a string of saves, particularly frustrating Darwin Nunez.
Mohamed Salah scored from the penalty spot after Leon King fouled Luis Diaz eight minutes after the break to give Liverpool the second goal they deserved.
Rangers, who had not won a point in their previous three Group A games, had a late chance when Kostas Tsimikas cleared Rabbi Matondo’s cross off the line, but they were outclassed by a Liverpool side that did not need to hit top gear to win.
The build-up to this Champions League clash featured the standard ‘Battle Of Britain’ narrative, with Rangers traveling south of the border to Anfield to put their credentials to the test against one of the Premier League’s elite.
In reality, the contest was over when Alexander-Arnold demonstrated flawless technique by curling his free-kick beyond McGregor. Rangers never posed a serious threat to Liverpool, and Liverpool never looked back.
The only disappointment for Liverpool was that they did not capitalize on the numerous opportunities they created, with the hardworking Nunez hitting the target with the majority of his efforts and showing good movement, only to put his finishes too close to McGregor on too many occasions.
Despite their dominance, Liverpool won thanks to a brilliant free-kick and a penalty.
It was the ideal game for them to find some rhythm and momentum, with Klopp fielding an all-out attacking lineup with Salah, Nunez, Diaz, and Diogo Jota up front.
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They will undoubtedly face a tougher test in the return game at a hostile Ibrox, but this simply could not have been more comfortable, making it a satisfying night for Klopp, who wanted to see Liverpool edging closer to their best.
The victory also puts Liverpool in a strong position to advance to the knockout stage, with six points from three games and a three-point lead over third-placed Ajax, who lost 6-1 at home to Napoli.
