Liverpool v Rangers, McCoist and Hateley, and three centuries of data

Liverpool have enjoyed something of an affinity with the green half of Glasgow down the years, so it’s easy to forget that the club was founded and initially run by a load of stern looking gentlemen in bowler hats. Anfield’s early connection to the Orange Order is little more than a historical footnote these days, however, and The Fiver isn’t going too far out on a limb to suggest that fundamental attitudes among Liverpool’s supporter base to existential issues such as king and country have evolved over the years. It’s probably best for all concerned that it was Ajax in town three weeks ago rather than Rangers, now we come to think about it.

Flute-bothering and national-anthem-enjoying origins aside, what’s even more surprising is that Liverpool and Rangers have never played each other in a competitive fixture. They have met in friendlies, though, the first time in October 1892 when Liverpool FC was exactly 125 days old. The baby Reds were spanked 6-1 at Ibrox. Onwards and upwards, and when Liverpool popped back in 2011, a star-studded team featuring Jay Spearing, Sebastián Coates and Andy Carroll went down to a Fábio Aurélio own goal. That’s some incremental improvement, and it augurs well for Jürgen Klopp’s side before next Wednesday’s visit to Govan. Three centuries worth of data is very much sort of on their side. Draw ahoy!

First things first, though, and Liverpool have to deal with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men at Anfield on Tuesday. The Lhight Bhlues are coming off the back of a comprehensive 4-0 win at Hearts, while Klopp’s rabble need to pull themselves together after being thrashed 3-3 by Brighton. Rangers are looking for their first point – indeed their first goal – in Big Cup this season, but having been