Liverpool vs Rangers LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction
Liverpool host Rangers in a Champions League group stage clash at Anfield
In the clash of the clubs from the banks of the Mersey and the Clyde, the real winner was Trent. The under pressure right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, set Liverpool on a path to victory they were expected to get. Perhaps he effected a swift transformation from scapegoat to top dog and certainly his celebration of a cathartic goal had an air of vindication.
Whether his brilliant free kick was an eloquent response to criticism or simply a demonstration of the gifts that make him a unique right-back, it brought him respite on an evening that ended not with another inquest, but a standing ovation.
For Liverpool, too, it was a restorative affair with Mohamed Salah adding a second with nonchalant ease. A continental campaign that began with the nadir of their worst performance under Jurgen Klopp now looks on course to conclude somewhere in the knockout stages. Napoli’s win over Ajax helps position Liverpool to qualify, if not win Group A, and they can plan for the return trip to Ibrox next week in greater need of points in the Premier League then the Champions League.
Relive the action from the Champions League as Liverpool defeated Rangers at Anfield:
Second half: Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
Kick off: No changes from either manager at the break so it’s as you were. Liverpool get the ball rolling for the second 45 minutes and work it up towards Darwin Nunez.
He scrambles all over Leon King and fouls the young defender gifting a free kick to Rangers.
HT Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
Since the start of the 2016-17 season, Trent Alexander-Arnold has scored six direct free-kick goals in all competitions, more than any other Liverpool player in this period.
HT Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
Half-time: Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
45 mins: A very one-sided 45 minutes comes to an end at Anfield with Liverpool taking the advantage into the break.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brilliant free kick sent them ahead in just the seventh minute and since then it’s been a masterclass from Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
He’s made at least four excellent saves and seems to have made it his personal mission to stop Darwin Nunez from scoring tonight. The 40-year-old is single-handley keeping Rangers in this contest.
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
43 mins: McGregor to the rescue again. Nunez makes a darting run across the box from right to left and is given the ball with a beautiful through pass from Diogo Jota
Nunez takes his shot early but McGregor drops to his right and stops another one!
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
40 mins: Wow! Mo Salah recovers the ball into the middle of the pitch and shrugs Ryan Kent away from it before sprinting up to the box. He slides in Darwin Nunez who belts another shot across goal and hits goalkeeper Allan McGregor who pushes it out for a corner!
Darwin vs McGregor is becoming a personal battle and so far the Rangers goalkeeper is winning it.
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
37 mins: And again! Luis Diaz dribbles around Steve Davis and drives into the box before unloading a shot but McGregor stands tall and gets in behind it to deny the Liverpool winger.
McGregor is keeping Rangers in this game.
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
34 mins: Save! Allan McGregor is having a blinding game. The ball comes over the top and falls kindly for Darwin Nunez who’s positioned himself on the left tip of the six-yard box.
He brings the ball under control and side foots one towards goal only for McGregor to stick out his right-hand and palm it away.
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
31 mins: Liverpool win a corner that Kostas Tsimikas swings over to Virgil van Dijk. He manages to leap higher than Leon King but can’t direct his header towards goal.
The Reds recycle the ball over to Tsimikas on the left side but he’s closed down by Malik Tillman who recovers the ball and ends the attack.
Liverpool 1-0 Rangers
28 mins: Mo Salah shoulders his way around Borna Barisic and receives the ball on the right side of the pitch. He slides it into the box for Darwin Nunez who brings the ball to the byline before cutting it back into the middle of the box.
He thinks Salah is there but the Egyptian made a different run and the defenders are able to work it clear.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments