(Football news) Having suffered three straight defeats in the Champions League, Rangers will welcome Liverpool at the Ibrox Stadium, looking to get their first win in the competition. The Reds on the other hand will hope that a result in Scotland will extend their three point advantage over third place Ajax. Rangers, who returned to Europe’s elite club competition after 12 years have already been beaten by Ajax, Napoli and Liverpool in the group stage and surprisingly, they have failed to even compete for a Europa League spot.
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst set up his side defensively against Liverpool last week, featuring five at the back but their vulnerability was for all to see as goalkeeper Allan McGregor pulled off eight saves but they still lost 2-0 at Anfield. However, Rangers bounced back with a 4-0 win over St. Mirren at Ibrox this weekend in the Scottish Premiership but now undoubtedly face a tougher test in Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Liverpool on the other hand are also struggling, having succumbed to a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League last weekend. A goal by Gabriel Martinelli in the first minute was followed by an equaliser by Darwin Nunez in the 34th minute. However, Arsenal fought back when Martinelli provided the assist to Bukayo Saka who tapped it home at the stroke of halftime. Eight minutes from the break, substitute Roberto Firmino scored from his weaker foot but the jubilation was short lived as Saka converted a penalty when Gabriel Jesus was brought down in the penalty box.
In team news for Rangers, Antonio Colak should start ahead of Alfredo Morelos in attack while Glen Kamara is expected to feature in midfield while James Sands could be selected over Ben Davies in central defence. As for Liverpool, Luis Diaz will be unavailable for selection due to a knee injury and will be replaced by Firmino with Diogo Jota shifting to the left. Ibrahima Konate could partner Virgil van Dijk in central defence while Joe Gomez should start at right back instead of the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. A win for Liverpool seems like the only realistic possibility for this fixture.
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