There's just 225 miles between Ibrox and Anfield but as far as the Hotline is concerned Liverpool and Rangers are worlds apart.
The Premier League giants may have only won 2-0 on Merseyside but the gulf in class was evident as Gio van Bronckhorst’s side were given the runaround by the Reds. Paddy Gowans said: “The gap between our league and the English league is massive. Liverpool didn't need to get out first gear to dismiss Rangers. These Old Firm fans need to get into the real world about where they stand in the European pecking order.”
Edward Fraser added: “So let's see that's three games in Europe and how many points and goals scored for Rangers so far? A big fat zero and they say Celtic are embarrassing Scottish football in Europe! At least we have a point and play attacking football.” John Scott, Grassmoor, said: “It can't be easy for Celtic and Rangers fans to finally realise they are way out of their depth in today's Champions League. Without the income of the really big clubs in Europe they just can't compete. In fact a bit like the SPFL where two giants have all the wealth and the rest feed off the scraps.
“The reality of how far our best have fallen behind Europe's elite is depressing. So perhaps the idea of a European Super League including Rangers and Celtic isn't such a bad idea. The game's moved on, so should they. Those teams left behind can then get on without accepting third is a success.”
Drew Ferguson, Oban, emailed in: “ Giovanni van Bronckhorst tells the media one minute that is players need to believe they can win against Liverpool but after the Ajax game tells the media they cannot compete with the financial gulf between the teams. Maybe something has been lost in translation.”
Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, called in to say: “It wasn’t a gap between Rangers and Liverpool, it was an ocean. Mo Salah earns more per year than Rangers are worth. What did we expect?”
Tim Gibbens said: “Judging by the way Rangers performed in the first half, it looked like some of their players actually have posters of Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk on their bedroom walls. Talk about affording the opposition too much respect – the Reds practically had the freedom of Anfield!”
Brian Leonard, West Midlands, said: “As a very proud Celtic supporter I have to view the over the top analogy of Rangers in the Champions League as being very one sided. Liverpool have spent over £1billion in the past 10 years, Ajax profit margins exceed £300m and Napoli are tearing up the Serie A.
“To put into perspective, Rangers didn't even exist just over 10 years ago, or were languishing in the lower tiers of Scottish Leagues, depending on your point of view, so it's very unfair to measure Rangers against Liverpool at any level. Give them a break!”
Neil Renton, Edinburgh, had this to say: “Those ludicrous claims that the Old Firm could hold their own in the Premier League were put to rest with Liverpool beating Rangers. If it wasn’t for the heroics of Allan McGregor the Reds could have made it a cricket score.”
The Rangers keeper was applauded off by Jurgen Klopp at half-time but Andy Scott, Edinburgh, couldn’t see what all the fuss was. He said: “Have I missed something in my 60 years on planet Earth? It is my understanding that football teams generally play with a goalkeeper, whose job is to keep the ball out of the goal.
“Why then do reporters, and fans, persist in saying that 'only a great display by the keeper' saved a team from humiliation in defeat, or it was 2-0 going on 6-0?
“It's not a source of embarrassment if your keeper does his job. Liverpool were deserving winners over Rangers. To say they could have scored 4, 5 or 6 is just nonsense. They couldn't, because Rangers stopped them doing so, and that's why the score was 2-0.”
Jim Mackintosh said: “One question, what has happened to Ryan Kent? Just runs around like a headless chicken, does not take defenders on any more, no mazy dribbling. Not the exciting player we initially bought.”
Does Gio have questions to answer? Was there an 'ocean' between Rangers and Liverpool?
What do you think of Wednesday's Hotline?
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