Liverpool host Rangers in the Champions League on Tuesday night with Jurgen Klopp’s men searching for another confidence-boosting win in Europe. The recent win over Ajax lifted the doom over Anfield after defeat to Napoli on matchday one and the Reds are in need of another lift after the weekend’s draw with Brighton. The Seagulls refused to roll over in the Premier League on Saturday and emerged with a well-earned 3-3 draw – and Klopp is well aware that the hosts’ confidence is low.
“Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo at the moment is at the top of his confidence? It happens to all of us. Lionel Messi’s last season was pretty much the same,” said Klopp at Monday’s press conference. “You have to take a step in the right direction and when you’re ready, it’s back (the confidence). “In individual sports you can fight yourself through it. In team sports, you have to do it together. It can be more complicated.”
Bar the 9-0 mauling of Bournemouth at home, the Reds have conceded in every home game this season. Ajax, Crystal Palace, Newcastle and Brighton have all netted on Merseyside and Rangers, fresh from a 4-0 win at Hearts over the weekend, look primed to continue that trend.
Scotland left-back Andy Robertson with a knee issue, while Ibrahima Konate is back in training and could return for the Reds. Klopp must also decide whether Darwin Nunez will return after being dropped after the draw with Everton. The Anfield boss launched a passionate defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold after he was snubbed by England boss Gareth Southgate last week and he will be desperate to put in a good showing. He was below par against Brighton and will fancy his chances of creating havoc against a defence marshalled by Liverpool old boy Ben Davies.
Key stats
– Rangers did not score in their last two Champions League games in England (a 3-0 loss and a 0-0 draw against Manchester United)
– Liverpool are 27 matches unbeaten in the Premier League at Anfield
– Liverpool have won only 9 tackles from 30 in the Champions League this season
– Liverpool have scored 295 goals so far in the UEFA Champions League
– Liverpool have had 39 attempts on goal in Europe this season
Suggested bets
– Both teams to score 11/10
– Alexander-Arnold to score 15/2
