Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst admits Liverpool exposed the gap in quality with his side after a chastening night at Anfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s early free-kick was followed by a Mohamed Salah penalty after the break as the Reds eased to a 2-0 win in their Champions League group clash.
Only a superb performance from Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor prevented the Scottish outfit being on the end of a heavier beating in the first-ever competitive meeting between the teams.
READ MORE: Darwin Nunez critics should not ignore his Liverpool truth after Rangers display
READ MORE: Giovanni van Bronckhorst might have just predicted Liverpool's future after Rangers win
And Van Bronckhorst believes Liverpool’s display rubbished those who believed the Reds' recent indifferent form meant this represented a major opportunity for his team.
“Don’t forget the opposition we are playing,” said the Rangers boss. “Everyone thought Liverpool are out of form and it would be an easy game. But you saw today the level they can reach.
“The gap in quality is obvious. We are competing against one of the best sides in Europe. The gap is there but it doesn’t mean you have to lose the game.
“We competed really well. We defended set-pieces really well which is really hard as they are good at them. We will learn from this game and take the experience into the next game.
“We knew it was going to be a very difficult game. We know the threat they have with players making runs almost every time they had the ball and the space. The option to play with five at the back was a good one to narrow those spaces.
“Liverpool have the quality to play with high speed and quick passing and quick switches of play. Every player in the back (for Liverpool), Matip, Van Dijk, Henderson, Thiago, even Alexander-Arnold from right-back, he can produce a special play out of nowhere.”
Rangers have had a difficult Champions League campaign, having been thumped 4-0 at Ajax in their opening group match and then beaten 3-0 at home to Napoli. But Van Bronckhorst believes his team showed against Liverpool they are gradually coming to terms with the step up in level.
“We were still in it at 1-0 at half-time,” he said. “We identified moments much better in the second half to go higher up the pitch and put pressure on them. It’s disappointing to lose two goals at set-pieces.
“The free-kick was taken really, really well. We had some chances to make it 2-1, one was cleared off the line and another was a shot that could have been taken earlier.
“We always have the belief. I saw it in my players. The level especially in the first half we made too many mistakes in our passing and in our first touches. We did much better the second half.
“Ben Davies, his first 70 minutes of the season, coming back to Liverpool I thought he performed really well.”
READ NEXT
- Jurgen Klopp sends Darwin Nunez message after promising Liverpool display
- Jurgen Klopp explains new Liverpool formation and hints at what's next
- Liverpool teenage 30-goal striker steps up as Ben Doak shines against old enemy
-
Liverpool great Xabi Alonso could be handed major European manager job
-
Jurgen Klopp reveals he tried to sign 'very impressive' Arsenal midfielder Liverpool face next
