Liverpool were worthy winners at Anfield yesterday evening after earning a comfortable 2-0 victory over Rangers. Jurgen Klopp's side were in need of a positive performance on the back of a disappointing draw with Brighton on Saturday afternoon, and duly delivered. Goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah sealed a crucial three points in the Reds' Champions League group, placing the team in a strong position ahead of next week's reverse fixture.
After watching Liverpool's start to the season from afar, Rangers may well have arrived on Merseyside believing they could earn at least a share of the spoils, though the visitors were outclassed from the get-go and offered very little by way of an attacking threat.
Dropping into the UEFA Europa League is now likely to be the best-case scenario for Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men, whose priority will now keeping pace with Celtic for the remainder of the league campaign. Looking back on last night's game, below is a round-up of how the Scottish media reacted to the display of the away side at Anfield.
ANALYSIS: Jurgen Klopp finds new midfield option as bold change helps Mohamed Salah
PLAYER RATINGS: Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez shine alongside five others
'Reality knocked them back into their senses'
Keith Jackson of the Daily Record wrote:
"They say it’s the hope that kills you, but that’s not always strictly the case.
"Sometimes, it’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. But mostly, on night’s such as these, it’s Mo Salah. Yes, Rangers may have crossed the border still high on the fumes of Brighton’s three-goal ram raid of the Kop at the weekend and fuelled by a misplaced belief that a petted-lipped, wobbly legged Liverpool might somehow be theirs for the taking.
"But when reality knocked them back into their senses last night – and it didn’t take long – it was the Englishman and Egyptian who punched the stars into their eyes. It must be said, this hardly lived up to its Battle of Britain billing given Rangers were unable to fire a single shot on target until five minutes from time when subs Rabbi Matondo and Antonio Colak were denied in quick succession. By that point another three Group A points had been meekly surrendered.
"The truth is, had it not been for the time-defying brilliance of Allan McGregor this latest loss would have been a great deal more savage. McGregor was the reason Rangers might even feel as if they got out of town with their dignity intact, despite hardly laying a glove of their own on the man at the other end of the pitch."
'The talent and considerable difference in budgets told'
Alan Pattullo of the Scotsman wrote:
"It hadn't taken long for this historic fixture between the teams to explode into life. McGregor was required to beat away an effort from a motivated Darwin Nunez inside two minutes.
"But it was someone else with a point to prove who struck the first blow. Alexander-Arnold has been the subject of heavy debate since England manager Gareth Southgate stressed that he had to improve his all-round game to feature at right back or right wing back for England. He wasn’t stretched defensively here so perhaps he still has something to prove on that front. But he underlined his attacking capabilities with a sumptuous free-kick with just seven minutes on the clock.
"It had felt ominous for Rangers from the moment Davies bundled over Nunez around 20 yards from goal. It seemed made-to-order for Alexander-Arnold. Or indeed Salah. Or even Henderson.
"A long night beckoned for Rangers on a pristine pitch that was simply begging the players to play on it. Liverpool had those with the ability to do so. The talent and considerable difference in budgets told from the opening moments. Nunez is considered to have endured a slow burning start to his Liverpool career after a personally costly red card against Crystal Palace. He lost his place due to suspension and Klopp admitted he had given the striker a pep talk on the eve of this clash. The manager had advised Nunez to stay calm and though there was an element of a striker trying too hard at times, he also had the misfortune of running into a 40-year-old goalkeeper who continues to defy his advancing years."
'Extra man on the park'
Christopher Jack of the Herald wrote:
"Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up. This was one of those nights for Rangers.
"At times it felt like Liverpool had an extra man on the park. Whenever Rangers got close, it was only for split seconds as the ball was shifted with mesmerising speed and a sense of purpose that Van Bronckhorst’s side just couldn’t live with.
"It was quite the spectacle at one of the great theatres of the game. The Rangers fans made a valiant and successful effort to make themselves heard as Klopp acted as the conductor of his orchestra on the touchline.
"Liverpool were composed and comfortable in everything that they did. When Rangers had the ball, the lack of quality and composure was evident and repeatedly exposed as they failed to get any foothold in the fixture."
'Difference in class'
Mark McDougall of football.scotland wrote:
"It got to 68 minutes and two players came onto the pitch. Roberto Firmino and Fabinho. James Milner and Harvey Elliot were next on.
"If that doesn't show the difference in class then there is very little that will. Sure, Rangers will be frustrated they haven't competed as much as they would have liked but this is a top class team they were up against.
"It would be unfair on Rangers to say they didn't work hard and put in an honest performance because there was no lack of effort but it just wasn't enough for the away side.
"There's no shame in losing 2-0 to Liverpool and none in being outclassed by a team of this level. Better teams than Rangers will be beaten at Anfield this season."
READ NEXT:
' Something more serious' - National media sound note of caution after Liverpool beat Rangers
- Jurgen Klopp explains new Liverpool formation and hints at what's next
- Darwin Nunez critics should not ignore his Liverpool truth after Rangers display
- Giovanni van Bronckhorst might have just predicted Liverpool's future after Rangers win
- Trent Alexander-Arnold addresses Liverpool criticism after Rangers win
