Alexander-Arnold and Salah fire Liverpool to victory against Rangers

The first competitive meeting between two of Britain’s most successful clubs captured the imagination, drew Steven Gerrard back to his beloved Anfield and even lured Sir Alex Ferguson into enemy territory. It proved an occasion only on paper. The gulf between Liverpool and Rangers in terms of Champions League experience, revenue and quality was reflected on the pitch where Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team were thoroughly outclassed.

Jürgen Klopp’s 60th Champions League game as Liverpool manager – qualifiers excluded – was just the elixir his team required in their quest for confidence and defensive solidity. Trent Alexander-Arnold reminded Gareth Southgate of the attacking prowess that the England manager may decide to go without at the World Cup with a stunning free-kick. Mohamed Salah added a second from the penalty spot. Limiting the defeat to two was Rangers’ finest achievement on a night when they were indebted to the enduring excellence of goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Van Bronckhorst’s side did not seriously threaten Alisson’s goal until the 85th minute when substitute Rabbi Matondo had a shot hooked off the line by Kostas Tsimikas. The away supporters’ renditions of God Save the King caused more consternation among the home crowd than anything their players produced on the pitch. Rangers were meek in the extreme and remain both pointless and goalless on their return to the Champions League stage.

There was rehabilitation of sorts for Darwin Núñez, however. Klopp had taken the Liverpool striker aside at training on Sunday and told the Uruguay international not to worry about the difficult introduction to his Anfield career. He backed up that reassuring message by handing the 23-year-old only a third start of the