Liverpool 2-0 Rangers
by James Nalton
at Anfield

A PERFECTLY executed free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold sent Liverpool on their way to a Champions League win against Rangers on Tuesday night.

It was a routine win in the end, but an important one nevertheless, and puts them in a good position to qualify for the knockout rounds along with Napoli from Group A.

A second-half penalty from Mohamed Salah sealed the win for Jurgen Klopp’s side, and though there were no goals from open play, Liverpool’s performance was generally more encouraging.

The Liverpool manager changed his side’s shape for this game. It’s likely something they have been working on since the defeat to Napoli in their opening Champions League game of the season, after which Klopp spoke of his side needing to reinvent themselves.

Here they went with four forwards — Salah, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, and Luis Diaz. The 4-2-4 formation gave them multiple attacking threats from out wide and through the middle.

Alexander-Arnold had been on the receiving end of criticism recently but showed his prowess from set pieces with some good corner taking as well as his free-kick goal.

“He had a good game, defensively especially and a wonderful goal,” said Klopp.

“We cannot talk about it every week, but Trent has no defensive problem, we had a defensive problem — hopefully ‘had’ — because our timing was not right and we take risks in defending, everybody knows that.

“If the timing is not right, you open gaps and these gaps are very often behind Trent.

“Not because of him, but because of other situations and then he has to track back.

“Yes, we were not in the perfect moment, and that’s why we just adjusted it slightly.”

Liverpool are now three unbeaten in all competitions and have two wins in those three games, which sounds a bit better than one win in four as was the case going into the clash with Rangers.

Klopp will now hope his side can take this into Sunday afternoon’s game against Premier League leaders Arsenal.