Michael Owen tells Rangers to cheat to beat Liverpool in Champions League showdown
Michael Owen says Rangers should consider “cheating” to get a result against Liverpool at Anfield in their Champions League showdown on Tuesday.
The Gers have been battered in both of their group stage games so far against Ajax and Napoli, and travel south of the border to face Jurgen Klopp’s side off the back of a big win over Hearts, while Liverpool were held to a 3-3 draw by Brighton.
And Owen, speaking to the Daily Mail [2 October] believes that the pace of Ryan Kent and Rangers being brave enough to let him cheat and stay in advanced positions ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold could see them get a shock result.
“Most teams who play Liverpool identify Trent as one of the main attacking threats they need to stop,” he said. “By the same token, they will also say their biggest opportunity for getting in is on his side.
“Jordan Henderson has tended to try and cover for him but sometimes Jordan is not playing and that has been a cause for concern in certain games. One of Liverpool’s biggest strengths can also be one of their biggest weaknesses.
“Ryan Kent will obviously know that. I’m sure he still watches Liverpool and there will be a huge part of him that is fond of the club.
“If you are an opposing manager you are looking for a player to make those out-to-in runs, especially if Trent vacates.
“Liverpool have a lot of the ball at Anfield so Trent is going to be sucked into those advanced positions.
“If Rangers can win it and be brave enough to leave Kent in almost cheating positions, they could counter-attack with a bit of force.”
Hard night
On paper there is no doubt that Liverpool are stronger than Rangers, but there is a belief about this side that they are capable of anything on their day.
This is a Liverpool side who are absolutely not at their best right now and haven’t been all season, so Rangers will feel that they can get at them if they attack well.
But they must first defend strongly to keep them out at the other end, and then attack with purpose and pace to hurt them going the other way.
Kent will be key to doing that playing in the left-wing position, as Owen has pointed out, and his goal against Hearts is likely to boost his confidence in the moments that he’s charging toward their goal in front of his former club.
He’ll have a point to prove and want to make it clear that he is as good as people believe he is, and he holds the keys to victory for the Gers.
In other Rangers news, the club are wasting time and money on this first-team star after GvB’s latest update