Liverpool will look to get their second win in the UEFA Champions League this season when they welcome Rangers to Anfield on Tuesday.
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool)
Key Statistics
Liverpool have won 13 of their last 15 UCL group stage games at Anfield (D1, L1).
They have won only one of their last six encounters against Scottish sides (D4, L1).
The hosts have kept only two clean sheets in their last nine games this season.
They are unbeaten at home in their last 12 games (W8, D4).
Rangers have failed to score in two of their last three away games, conceding eight goals in both games.
The visitors have won only once in England across seven European trips (D2, L4) while failing to score in four of their last five visits.
They have failed to score in the UCL group stage this season.
Head to head
This is the first official meeting between both teams.
Latest performances in all competitions
Liverpool: D-W-L-D-W
Rangers: W-W-L-L-L
Liverpool
Liverpool will hope to get back to winning ways when they welcome Rangers to this momentous all-British clash in the Champions League.
The Reds have endured a poor start to the new season, having won just three of their opening nine games in the Champions League and in the Premier League (D4, L2).
One of those disappointing results came at the weekend in a 3-3 draw against Brighton at Anfield. The Seagulls raced into a two-goal lead early in the first half courtesy of a well-taken brace by Leandro Trossard. But a brace by Roberto Firmino brought the hosts level before an own goal by Adam Webster completed the turnaround and gave Jurgen Klopp’s men a one-goal lead in the 63rd minutes.
However, Trossard made sure that Brighton went home with a deserved point when he finished a well-crafted goal–his third for the night. The result means that Liverpool are now eleven points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title, albeit with a game in hand.
Things are not even better in the Champions League, where they opened their account with a 4-1 loss away to Napoli. Although they beat Ajax in their last outing in this stadium to keep their hopes of progressing from the group stage alive. They know that two more victories in quick succession against Rangers will put them in a strong position in this group.
Having won 13 of their last 15 home UCL group stage matches (D1, L1) they will fancy their chances of getting the deserved win against a Rangers side that have struggled this season.
Possible Liverpool starting line-up
Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Kosta Tsimikas; Fabinho, Harvey Elliot, Thiago Alcantara; Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota.
Injured: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Calvin Ramsay, Curtis Jones
Doubtful: Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson
Suspended: None
Rangers
Rangers have endured mixed results this season. The Gers have seen the best and the worst of performances these past few weeks with two heavy defeats in their first two Champions League group games followed by two huge wins against Dundee United and Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
Their latest win, a 4-0 win over Hearts which was secured courtesy of goals from Antonio Colak, Alfredo Morelos and Liverpool academy product Ryan Kent, ensured that they are keeping up the pace with Celtic at the top of the SPFL.
The result also leaves them in good spirits ahead of their trip to Anfield, where they will be desperate to get their first win of the UEFA Champions League group stages. The visitors qualified for the UCL through the playoffs, but since making it to the group stages, they have tasted two heavy defeats–losing 4-0 to Ajax and 3-0 at home to Napoli.
And so, they travel across the British Isles sitting bottom in this group and desperate for a win as Van Bronckhorst’s side know they must win at least one of their matches against Liverpool to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout stages or to the next round of the Europa League.
Possible Rangers starting line-up
McLaughlin; James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ben Davies, Borna Barisic; John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield; Alfredo Morales, Antonio Colak, Ryan Kent.
Injured: Tom Lawrence, John Souttar, Ianis Hagi, Filip Helander, Nnamdi Ofoborh
Doubtful: None
Suspended: James Sands
Prediction
Liverpool 2-0 Rangers
