(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
Liverpool put their Premier League problems to one side as goals
from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah secured a comfortable
2-0 win over Rangers at Anfield, reports citing .
Jurgen Klopp's men had won just three of their first nine
Premier League and Champions League games of the season, but could
not have asked for more obliging guests as an outclassed Rangers
were happy to limit the damage.
Alexander-Arnold's stunning free-kick after only seven minutes
could have opened the floodgates, but 40-year-old goalkeeper Allan
McGregor kept Rangers in the game until half-time.
Salah's penalty early in the second period ended any doubt over
the result to leave Rangers still waiting for their first point in
Group A after three games.
Liverpool move three points clear of Ajax, who were thrashed 6-1
at home by group leaders Napoli.
All that was missing for Klopp was a first Anfield goal for
Darwin Nunez as the Uruguayan missed a series of glorious chances
on his return to the starting line-up.
Alexander-Arnold has also been under intense scrutiny for his
lack of defensive qualities during Liverpool's slow start to the
season.
But the right-back showcased his ball striking ability with a
sumptuous free-kick into the top corner to settle any Liverpool
nerves.
The concession of an early goal appeared to undo Rangers' boss
Giovanni van Bronckhorst's game plan to defend in numbers in an
attempt to frustrate the Reds.
Van Bronckhorst led the Glasgow giants to just their second
European final in 50 years last season but they have struggled with
the step up in their first experience of Champions League football
in 12 years.
After conceding seven goals without reply in their opening two
games, only the heroics of veteran McGregor prevented another
rout.
Klopp handed Nunez just his second start since the Uruguayan was
sent off on his home debut in August.
At a initial cost of 75 million euros ($73 million, £66
million), Nunez cost more than Rangers' entire revenue for the
2020/21 season, but the former Benfica striker's lack of confidence
was obvious as he passed up a series of chances.
Four times McGregor thwarted Nunez before half-time as Liverpool
went in at the break with just one goal to show for 45 minutes of
complete dominance.
Any hope the visitors had of snatching their first point of the
group disappeared shortly after the restart when Leon King was
penalised was hauling down Luis Diaz inside the box.
McGregor had saved two Napoli penalties in a 3-0 defeat three
weeks ago, but this time was outwitted by Salah as the Egyptian
coolly slotted down the middle of the goal.
The chances continued to come for the home side, but they failed
to fully cash in on what should have been a night to boost their
confidence with a much more comprehensive scoreline.
Diogo Jota blazed over and Diaz prodded wide on the stretch
after good work from Nunez down the right.
Liverpool can ill afford to be so profligate when they face
leaders Arsenal and Manchester City in their next two Premier
League games.
However, they are well on course to reach the last 16 of the
Champions League for a sixth consecutive season with four points
from their next two games away at Rangers and Ajax enough to seal
qualification with a game to spare.
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