We are just about ready for the historic, first competitive match between Liverpool and Rangers. Neither team has ever met in a match that has meant anything. Now, they are ready to kick off at Anfield. Tonight's Champions League clash is each team's 3rd game in the 2022/23 group stage.
Tonight's match is the Reds' first in the Champions League since the 2-1 win against Ajax on September 13th. It's a crucial match for both teams in the fight to get out of Group A. Liverpool are currently tied for second in the group with Ajax. They do have the goal differential edge.
Rangers have struggled in the Champions League. Last year's Europa League runners-up have had a hard time with the tougher competition in Group A. They've also played Napoli and Ajax and have lost both matches by a total of 7-0.
As expected, Jürgen Klopp has made some changes in the lineup from this weekend's bummer of a draw against Brighton. As teased in his press conference yesterday, the boss gives Darwin Núñez a start. He also brings Diogo Jota and Luis Díaz into the starting lineup.
Somewhat surprisingly, Klopp sticks with the same starting backline that took so much heat after Saturday's game. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk both had bad weekends and could maybe use a night off.
Defenders Ibrahima Konaté and Calvin Ramsay both make their regular season debuts on the bench for the Reds. The availability of players on the bench is the deepest we've seen for the Reds in some time.
Here are the lineups for Liverpool and Rangers:
Liverpool
Starters
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Thiago, Henderson, Diaz, Salah, Jota, Núñez
Substitutes
Adrian, Kelleher, Gomez, Fabinho, Konate, Milner, Firmino, Elliot, Ramsay, Carvalho, Bajcetic, Phillips
Rangers
Starters
McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Lundstram, Davis, Kent, Morelos, Davies, Barisic, King, Tillman
Substitutes
McLaughlin, McCrorie, Ridvan, Devine, Jack, Kamara, Arfield, Colak, Matondo,Wright, Fashion Jr.
LFC Globe Verdict
We love the changes upfront. Bringing in the big-name trio of Díaz, Jota, and Núñez into the starting lineup will give the offence a boost. Squad rotation on such a quick turnaround from Saturday is a must as well.
We don't love leaving the very suspect back 4 from this past weekend being left intact. As we mentioned in our recap of Saturday's match, the centre-back combo of Virgil van Dijk and Joël Matip has been poor lately. We were hoping for a somewhat shuffled backline and maybe Klopp will bring on Konate or Ramsay at some point.