Liverpool return to Champions League action tonight where the Reds can all-but confirm qualification to the knockout stages with a win against Rangers.
After their 3-2 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday, Liverpool sit 14 points off first place after just eight games, making any sort of title challenge look extremely difficult. All attention now turns to the Champions League, with the Reds facing a trip to Ibrox.
The Reds emerged 2-0 winners against Rangers in the reverse fixture last week, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah scoring the goals. Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz both played major roles in the victory, but Jurgen Klopp will be without the duo against the Scottish side.
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Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip will both be out for around two weeks, whilst Diaz is set to be out until after the World Cup. Andy Robertson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have returned to training with Robertson part of the squad for tonight's game, though the Scotsman may not be risked.
So can the Reds rediscover their winning ways against Rangers tonight? We simulated the game to find out, using FIFA 23 and updating the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
Rangers vs Liverpool score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the Rangers squad with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that the hosts could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic; Lundstram, Davis; Sakala, Arfield, Kent; Colak.
We predict that Liverpool could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Jota; Nunez.
Liverpool enter this game knowing that a win could all but secure the Reds a spot in the last-16 of the Champions League, depending on other results. But, the Reds' habit of conceding first this season continued in the simulation, with Fashion Sakala opening the scoring for Rangers.
A heavy pass from Joe Gomez into midfield was intercepted by John Lundstram, and with the Liverpool defender out of position, Ryan Kent was played in down the left. The former Liverpool man cut inside the box when closed down by the covering Virgil van Dijk, and with the defender out of position, it left Rangers with a two versus one situation at the back post.
Kent found Sakala with his pass across the box, and the striker drilled a powerful effort into the far corner to put his side ahead. The Reds reacted well to going behind, and Roberto Firmino continued his fine form in front of goal as he found the equaliser.
After winning possession on the halfway line, the Reds had the chance to break forward as Darwin Nunez pushed towards goal. The striker spotted Roberto Firmino's bursting run forward, sending a pass forward for the Brazilian to chase.
Firmino beat Connor Goldson in a foot race before reaching the box, cutting in onto his right and curling his shot into the far corner of the net. The Reds looked very dangerous every time they went forward with Nunez and Firmino linking up well, and the latter grabbed a second goal to put the Reds ahead in the 58th minute.
As Diogo Jota sized up his marker on the edge of the box, the forward rolled a ball through to Kostas Tsimikas on the overlap, allowing the Greek defender to fire a cross into the box. Firmino wriggled away from his marker and met the cross, lifting the ball over the onrushing Allan McGregor and into the net.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Rangers 1-2 Liverpool
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 23 predicts that after going behind again, Liverpool's top scorer Firmino came to the rescue, with the Brazilian scoring twice to confirm a 2-1 win. Victory would see the Reds take a big step towards the last 16 of the Champions League.
What do you think the score will be between Liverpool and Rangers on Wednesday evening? Let us know in the comments!
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