Steve McManaman has warned Liverpool that it’s a “really good time” to play them as they prepare to face Rangers - and that sentiment has been echoed by Rio Ferdinand.
The Reds take on the Scottish Premiership outfit in their fourth Group A fixture of the competition this evening. Jurgen Klopp’s side claimed a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Anfield last week.
Liverpool go into the game on the back of a 3-2 defeat at Arsenal in the Premier League. That match also saw three players suffer injuries, with Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip now on the sidelines.
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McManaman has claimed that it’s a good time for Rangers to play against Liverpool. The former Reds star has also explained how the Scottish club will be looking to approach the game against Klopp’s side.
“Well I think it’s a really good time to face Liverpool because we know their defeat against Arsenal, (Manchester) City coming up - arguably the favourite to win this tournament,” McManaman told BT Sport before kick-off.
“We know they’ve got injuries to Alexander-Arnold, Matip so we expect changes at the back for Liverpool so again, it’s a disjointed back four.
“They haven’t trained together because they haven’t had much time, so it is a good time to play them.
“They have to be the aggressors tonight, they have to get this crowd behind them. If they come out and insipid and Liverpool score, it’ll go as flat as you like so they have to be nice and aggressive tonight, put Liverpool under pressure and Liverpool have to respond tonight.”
Ferdinand was alongside McManaman in speaking about Liverpool’s recent form. The former Manchester United defender has explained how past results will give Rangers confidence against the Reds.
"There’s no denying their confidence levels are nowhere near the levels we’ve seen in recent seasons but that’s where Rangers, their changing room, they have to focus on that,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“This is a team we’ve seen get beat. We’ve seen teams like Brighton play through Liverpool, that’s inspiration, that’s the blueprint, it gives you confidence to do it.
“The fact they’re lacking confidence, got beat by Arsenal.”
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