Goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah saw Liverpool make light work of Glasgow Rangers to move to second in Champions League group A. It could of been more had Darwin Nunez not been frustrated by Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
MerseySportLive’s Melissa Edwards was at Anfield to assess what we learned from Liverpool’s second group win of the campaign.
#1 – New Klopp Formation
Jurgen Klopp is renowned for his trusted 4-3-3 formation, but he could be moving away from it after such a telling performance from a front four of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.
The double pivot with Thiago and Jordan Henderson in midfield seemed to fix Liverpool’s problems in both defence and attack with every Rangers charge quickly snuffed out before it could even begin.
#2 – Southgate Watch
Trent Alexander-Arnold spends most of his playing career proving himself to other people and after being omitted from Gareth Southgate’s England squad last month, the right-back will be hoping he had his TV on when that free kick hit the top corner.
The defender appeared to be back to his best at both ends of the field as he managed to keep Ryan Kent on lock before the Rangers winger was substituted.
#3 – Where’s Your Famous Atmosphere?
A chant that Liverpool fans have heard too much at Anfield in recent times, and again on Tuesday night by Rangers supporters; except this time, it was quickly drowned out by songs of their own.
The fact that the blue corner of the stadium live and breathe football as much as the people from Merseyside was possibly a huge help, but match goers will need to start bringing that noise week in and week if they want to rescue Liverpool’s season and create the belief, passion and fight they witnessed under the Champions League lights here.
#4 – Slow start for Nunez
Despite a much-improved showing from the red attack, Nunez still didn’t seem to be at his best. The final third decision-making was a pace behind his peers, and he never looked completely confident in his multiple shots on goal.
His lack of consistent game time may be a factor as Klopp continues to swap and change his starting line-up. The head coach will have some big decisions heading into the busiest part of the campaign.
#5 – Quicker The Better
Fast starts have been few and far between this season for Liverpool but every time they have scored first, it’s been vital to their performance. Bournemouth, Ajax and now Rangers have all been defeated following early Liverpool efforts and it’s definitely something that the team will want to replicate.
Alexander-Arnold’s seventh minute opener dictated the rest of the half with some suffocating play from the hosts and provided them with the best opportunity to continue the form into the second half.
As Liverpool jump up into second of Champions League group A, everything they have learned from matchday three could prove to be just enough to keep them among the best in Europe.
