Liverpool is sure to be up and running on the Champions League last 16 after defeating the Rangers at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, UK
Liverpool, dressed in red, was able to gain a 7-1 victory, although they did have to score from behind to contend for all three points.
The first half at Ibrox stadium had Jürgen Klopp much concerned as there was a change in the defense following which Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konaté ended up replacing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joël Matip. However, he ended up facing similar problems to the past as Liverpool ended up conceding first for the eighth time this season and early yet again when Rangers’ highly strong aggressive beginning was rewarded with their first goal of the Champions League campaign.
However, the tide soon changed as Mohamed Salah netted a six-minute hat-trick off the bench, while Roberto Firmino fired a double, and Darwin Nunez was on the scoresheet.
Mohamed Salah ended up scoring the speediest-ever Champions League hat-trick as the Liverpools were able to change the game to their favor during the second half as they bested the Rangers.
The Rangers had the advantage during the first half with Scott Arfield brilliantly taking the lead but Roberto Firmino from Liverpool was amazingly able to match it up and Liverpool was able to dominate post-half-time, achieving six unanswered goals – including three in six minutes from substitute Salah – to leave the hosts incapable of making it through to the last 16.
Firmino got his moment to shine and lead Liverpool 55 minutes before the Brazilian’s flick set up Darwin Nunez to earn his second goal as much as he could. Salah soon took over, achieving the first of his three goals at 75 minutes and securing the match ball with two more strong closes against the unfavorable Rangers’ defense.
The Rangers who displayed a very promising beginning during the game ended up not faring well in the latter half of the match. The Rangers additionally ended up losing both Connor Goldson and Ryan Jack to injuries and conceded a seventh to Harvey Elliott that was ultimately rewarded by VAR.
Liverpool’s impressive second-half performance
Liverpool’s impressive second-half performance however meant that it was the Rangers’ heaviest-ever loss in a sporting match at the Ibrox stadium. It certainly had the Rangers’ boss Giovanni Van Bronckhorst left puzzled. Giovanni went on to state that the first hour they were present, the Rangers could make it difficult for various opponents at Ibrox but the last 25 minutes of their performance was disappointing and that any team could win against that. He stated that they were bound to get criticism as part of his job as well as the players’ and they strive to take it to head forward. He also went on to state that he wants to process the match and performance and cannot explain at the moment.
The Liverpool F.C
The Liverpool F.C (Football Club) is a professional football club based in Liverpool, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. The club was founded in 1892, following which it joined the Football League the following year and has played its home games at Anfield ever since it was formed. In its international competitions, the club has won six European Cups, three UEFA Cups, four UEFA Super Cups—all English records—and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Subsequently following the Napolis beating Ajax 4-2 earlier in the night, Liverpool is now just barely one point away from their final two games away to Ajax and home to Napoli to ensure their qualification. The Rangers unfortunately are in the bottom after four straight losses and cannot qualify for the knockouts.
This leaves us all waiting in anticipation for Liverpool to face off against Manchester City on Sunday.
