Goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah ensured Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool registered a 2-0 win over Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Rangers in the UEFA Champions League.
Liverpool FC registered a confidence-building 2-0 win over Rangers in the Champions League at Anfield, and Jurgen Klopp admitted it was exactly what his Reds needed.
The Merseyside club have struggled to replicate last season’s form, but the victory over the Scottish team on Tuesday night moves them closer to a place in the knockout phase of Europe's elite competition.
England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold broke the deadlock just after seven minutes as his 25-yard free-kick found the top corner of the net.
The hosts could have scored more goals but veteran keeper Allan McGregor kept the Rangers in the game with a succession of saves.
And, in the 53rd minute, Liverpool got their second goal when Mohamed Salah found the net from the penalty spot after Leon King fouled winger Luis Diaz.
It was a night to forget for Rangers, who have not won a point from three games in Group A, however, Klopp took the positives from the match, and also explained that they had to change formation after dropping points against Brighton in the Premier League over the weekend.
Exactly what Liverpool needed - Klopp
"It was exactly what we needed tonight," the Liverpool manager Klopp told BT Sport. "A new formation, we had to change things. We had plenty of chances, imagine if we had taken more of them. Really good game. Very important.
"Two set-piece goals as well - I love this as it means you don't need to wait for VAR.
"Unlucky in moments offensively, rock solid defensively apart from the very end. It will be a different game next week.
Quizzed on right-back Alexander Arnold’s defending, the German asserted: "There is no problem with defending - in good moments everything is fine - if there is no protection it looks like he is exposed. We changed it a little bit today.
"We expected a reaction - everyone expected a reaction - we really want to turn this into a positive and for that we need consistency. For that, you need top-class defending and we had that tonight. It worked out pretty well."
Liverpool switched off noise - Henderson
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was pleased with the performance on the night and elaborated on why he and his teammates had to ignore critics and social media antics.
The England midfielder said: "I felt good out there. We had some really good stuff, changed the system for a little bit. First half, the intensity levels were there and overall we're happy with the performance.
"You've got to give Trent a license to get forward and produce what he can produce up the pitch. I thought he was good defensively tonight, he did the basics really well. I didn't have to cover too much.
"It can be difficult. You try to not listen to social media especially when you go through a tough period as an individual or a team. You've got to switch off the noise and focus on what you do day-to-day and stay focused on what we're trying to achieve as a team.
"That's not easy. It can hurt players at times but you've got to try and find a way to use it as fuel and energy on the pitch."
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