Capitulation, capitulation, capitulation
What a difference one half of football makes. Before the break, for the most part, Rangers looked comfortable against the Premier League giants. While they never really cut the Reds open, they carried a threat throughout and obviously got their early rewards through Scott Arfield. The second-half was a story of total capitulation for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side. The only word that can be used to describe the result for Rangers is embarrassing. Liverpool will thump better teams that Rangers, let’s be clear. However, to completely fall apart like they did was shambolic. There are manners in which to lose a game. This was not one of them. The fans will demand answers – no matter how good Liverpool are.
Too many negative moves
Unlike how we’re used to seeing Rangers perform domestically, van Bronckhorst’s players lacked bravery to play through the lines of Liverpool. Far too often the ball was either passed backwards or sideways, much to the understandable annoyance of the Ibrox faithful. Of course, Liverpool are one of the best pressing teams on the planet. However, it was not a full-strength Liverpool team from the start. Particularly during the first-half Rangers’ defenders had a chance to zip a pass into the midfield to allow the team to play from there. More often than not the ball would end up back to Allan McGregor before a repeat situation or the ball being launched.
Davies showed impressive first-half moments
If the ex-Liverpool squad player can stay fit then van Bronckhorst has a good player on his hands at Ibrox. Steady and confident on the ball, the one-time Preston ace has great ball-playing attributes which will suit Rangers’ usual possession-based game. He showed he has the physicality to mix it up against some top strikers too. Darwin Nunez is no slouch. Fairly pacey as well, Davies put in a solid first-half showing. It’s safe to say he will play a key role for the club going forward.
