Picking a Rangers team to face Liverpool tonight should be pretty straightforward for Giovanni van Bronckhorst – or is it?
First and foremost, a 4-0 win over 10-man Hearts at the weekend was the perfect preparation and fans will expect minimal changes to the side that won so comfortably in the capital. Then again there are a couple of big decisions. Yes, Antonio Colak 's red hot from continued with the opening two goals. But Alfredo Morelos – so often the hero for Rangers in Europe – provided a timely reminder he’s still there to put pressure on the Croat, coming off the bench to net the Light Blues’ third.
Ryan Kent added a fourth as the winger rediscovered his scoring touch at a timely moment. However, v an Bronckhorst will be without the suspended James Sands. The American was sent off last time out in the Champions League against Napoli so isn’t available tonight. The will likely result in Ben Davies making his first ever start at Anfield - despite spending 18 months as a Liverpool player.
Tom Lawrence will also miss out on Merseyside. He was expected to make his return to action at Tynecastle, but suffered a fresh injury set back and now won’t feature again until after the World Cup. He’s been ruled out for the next 12 games, which has ended his dream of going to Qatar with Wales. John Souttar remains a long-term absentee. However, former Hearts teammate Jon McLaughlin is fit again and will likely deputise for Allan McGregor. Further decisions come in midfield and out wide for van Bronckhorst.
Predicted Rangers XI
None of the absentees will have come as much of a surprise to van Bronckhorst ahead of the trip to Anfield. Coupled with Saturday’s result in Edinburgh, the Dutchman will have had an idea of how he’ll line up against Liverpool this evening for some time.
Provisional Rangers squad
Robby McCrorie
Allan McGregor
Jon McLaughlin
James Tavernier
Adam Devine
Connor Goldson
Ben Davies
Leon King
Borna Barisic
Ridvan Yilmaz
Ryan Jack
Glen Kamara
Steven Davis
John Lundstram
Malik Tillman
Scott Arfield
Rabbi Matondo
Ryan Kent
Scott Wright
Fashion Sakala
Alfredo Morelos
Antonio Colak
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