Liverpool vs Rangers LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction

Liverpool host Rangers in a Champions League group stage clash at Anfield

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits team lacks confidence

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:

Liverpool vs Rangers

• Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Thiago Alcantara, Henderson, Salah, Jota, Diaz, Nunez
• Rangers XI: McGregor, Tavernier, King, Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Tillman, S. Davis, Kent, Morelos
• GOAL! 7’ - Alexander-Arnold curls a free-kick into the top corner for the Reds
• 34’ - Darwin Nunez denied by a big save by McGregor
• GOAL! 53’ - Salah clips home a penalty after Diaz is fouled in the box
• 85’ - Tsimikas clears off the line in rare Rangers attack
• MATCH REPORT: Salah helps Liverpool ease to Champions League win over Rangers

[4 October 2022 21:32 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

75 mins: Close! Mo Salah slips the ball into the box for Darwin Nunez who pulls it back expertly to Luis Diaz. He’s under pressure for the centre-back and pokes his first-time effort wide of the right-hand post.

Luckily for him the offside flag then goes up against Nunez who just set off on his run too early.

[4 October 2022 21:30 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

72 mins: Trent Alexander-Arnold perfectly curls a pass around the back of the Rangers defence and almost plays in Luis Diaz on the left side of the penalty area but the winger fails to control the ball and it skips through for a goal kick.

Giovannin van Bronckhorst makes a substitution and brings on Antonio Colak in place of Alfredo Morelos.

[4 October 2022 21:28 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

69 mins: Roberto Firmino and Fabinho are brought onto the pitch in place of Diogo Jota and Jordan Henderson.

[4 October 2022 21:26 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

66 mins: Chance! A rare foray up the pitch Rangers ends in a whimper and allows Liverpool to fly forward on the counter-attack. Luis Diaz sprints into the box and lets fly with a right-footed effort that takes a deflection and heads out for a corner.

[4 October 2022 21:22 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

63 mins: Tavernier tackles Diaz and knocks the ball out of play on the left wing. It’s thrown over to Tsimikas who dribbles into the box but runs into trouble.

This is good defending from the visitors who force Liverpool to send the ball back to Joel Matip.

[4 October 2022 21:18 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

60 mins: An hour gone at Anfield and Liverpool have a comfortable lead. Rangers haven’t offered much in front of goal and Liverpool are in complete control.

In the other Group A match tonight Napoli are beating Ajax 4-1.

[4 October 2022 21:13 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 2-0 Rangers

56 mins: Close! The ball is whipped over to Mo Salah who brings it down and weaves into the box. He rolls the ball onto his left foot and shoots but the defender, King I think, is across quickly and puts in the block.

Meanwhile, Luis Diaz and Connor Goldson collide in the middle of the pitch and both players stay down needing treatment from the physios.

It seems they’ll both be okay to play on.

[4 October 2022 21:11 · Michael Jones]

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Rangers (Salah, 53’)⚽️

53 mins: The penalty is left to Mo Salah who dances around the ball then slides it straight down the middle as Allan McGregor dives across to his left.

Liverpool double their lead.

[4 October 2022 21:10 · Michael Jones]

Penalty to Liverpool!

Liverpool 1-0 Rangers

51 mins: Luis Diaz accelerates through a tiny gap and carries the ball into the box. Leon King dangles out his leg and takes out the winger inside the box and the referee wastes no time before pointing to the spot.

[4 October 2022 21:06 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 1-0 Rangers

48 mins: Liverpool are attempting to pick up where they left off by pushing Rangers deep into their own half but the Scottish side seem more determined to pile pressure on in midfield.

That’s opened some gaps for Luis Diaz and Mo Salah to exploit on the wide areas but neither manages to create a cear chance with runs into the penalty area.