What Leon King was told in Rangers dressing room after Liverpool baptism of fire

At an age when most lads are playing Champions League on the PlayStation, Leon King was thrown into the real thing from the start on Tuesday night and provided a reason to be cheerful on another tough night for Rangers.

Yes, Liverpool handed out another harsh lesson in reality with a 2-0 win that could have been doubled or trebled had Allan McGregor not defied Old Father Time and Darwin Nunez in equal measure with another collection of saves to add to his showreel. The keeper, at 40, might be in the twilight of his career but in front of him the kid who is 22 years younger and at the dawn of professional life showed a maturity and ability that suggests Rangers have grown a proper talent from their academy roots.

Gio van Bronckhorst’s decision to go with a back three – a back five in reality – meant a starting slot for 18-year-old King alongside Connor Goldson and Ben Davies. As learning curves go, it doesn’t get much steeper than trying to keep Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Mo Salah at bay and while Liverpool won comfortably, King produced a composed display that belied his lack of years and experience.

His team-mates noted it and appreciated it. Borna Barisic, whose night as left wing-back was spent trying to nullify Salah’s threat, knows just how tough a night it was for Rangers but he believes that with every passing 90 minutes at this level, Rangers are growing. And a look along the back line to see the teenager more than play his part was one of the big comforts the Croatian took from another tough night.

“I spoke with him after the game and I congratulated him,” Barisic said. “It is not easy. He is 18 years old. To come to Anfield and play like he played is a very big thing for the club and for him