GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST has called on Rangers to show their character at Anfield and challenged them to believe they can cause a Champions League shock.
Rangers head into their third Group A outing bottom of the table after heavy defeats to Ajax and Napoli and facing an ominous challenge against a Liverpool outfit that were beaten finalists in Paris last term.
It has been a difficult start to the campaign for Jurgen Klopp’s side but the Reds are still heavy favourites to win on home soil as Rangers eye a historic Battle of Britain triumph.
Van Bronckhorst will be without midfielder Tom Lawrence after revealing the former Derby captain has been ruled out of action until after the World Cup following a training ground injury blow in recent days.
But the Dutchman is confident his side can rise to the occasion as he laid down the gauntlet and urged them to prove they have what it takes to win at Anfield.
Van Bronckhorst said: “We always have the belief, it all starts with belief.
“If you don’t have any belief when you go on the pitch you are going to face an impossible challenge. That’s the character we have to show.
“It’s also the character we have shown in the past and we have to have the same spirit and belief to get something out of the game.
“That’s where it starts – before you enter the pitch. You have to be ready mentally as well, because it is a very hard ground to come to.
“We have to be prepared tactically for the challenge we face against Liverpool but also for the atmosphere we are going to face.
“It’s important [to enjoy the occasion]. There are many positives to take out of this year’s campaign in the Champions League. It has been a lot of years since we performed on this level.
“Of course there was history of the last 10 years when had to get up to the highest level in Scotland from the bottom leagues.
“In Europe we are improving each year and playing in the Champions League and Europa League final last year was a great achievement for all of us.
“We are all proud to be at this stage and to play against the team we are facing.
“Then again, if you are playing at the top level in Europe you want to win games as well. That’s our focus.”
