Ben Davies has admitted it is ‘good to be back’ in Liverpool as the defender makes his Anfield debut for Rangers.
The 27-year-old joined the Reds from Preston North End in 2021 as Jurgen Klopp attempted to stem a defensive injury crisis but failed to make a single appearance over a season-and-a-half spell on Merseyside. Davies was deemed surplus to requirements at the end of last season and joined Rangers for an initial £3m.
Since crossing the border, the centre-back has struggled to maintain a place in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side due to the inevitable injury problems that come with not playing competitive football for nearly 18 months. But as luck would have it, he is making his Champions League debut at Anfield tonight - probably not how he imagined it two years ago, though.
READ MORE: Darwin Nunez starts as Jurgen Klopp unleashes new Liverpool formation for Rangers
“It’s good to be back,” Davies told BT Sport . “I didn’t expect to be back this soon but then we qualified for the Champions League and the draw got made so, yeah, I’m happy to be here.
“I’ve been on the bench a few times in the Champions League but never got on, so to be starting is special, it would be at Anfield, so a big night for me and my family and the boys, but we’re all looking forward to it. I had a bit of a broke (sic) in pre-season then broke down in the first game so we took our time. I had a good 45 minutes on Saturday and feel good going into it tonight.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has deviated from his trusted 4-3-3 formation tonight, deploying a deadly quartet of Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez upfront. Davies has acknowledged that he and his new side may need the Reds to have an off-day if they are to get anything.
But the ex-Red remains confident that Rangers can come to Anfield and put on a good show, at the least.
Davies said "I used to see each day that they’re world-class players, it’s the Champions League, any team you come up against are going to be really good. We need to have our best game possible and hope Liverpool have an off day, take our chances and work hard and intense in defending.
“It’ll be a great night, we’re not here to turn up and have a Champions League night, we’re here to make our mark on the game and take it to them the best way possible.
“We’re always confident going into any game, I don’t think this is different and I don’t think you can pay too much attention to form, people were probably saying that a few weeks ago. and they put nine past Bournemouth. I’m not interested in that, I’m focusing on us. We've got confidence in ourselves and hope we can put on a good show.”
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