Malik Tillman and Glen Kamara to start – Rangers predicted XI vs Liverpool
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has got some big decisions to make ahead of Rangers trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on Tuesday night.
The Gers claimed a dominant 4-0 win over Hearts at the weekend and now look to keep their Champions League dreams alive against Jurgen Klopp’s team, following thumpings at the hands of Ajax and Napoli previously this season.
But with so much at stake, the manager must decide what type of approach he wants to take to the game, and that could mean a return to a previous style.
In goal the boss has already confirmed that Allan McGregor will start the game between the sticks after winning his shirt back from Jon McLaughlin following the latter’s tough start to the season and subsequent injury.
In defence the boss is without James Sands through suspension following his red card against Napoli, which means the likelihood is that the back four remains unchanged from the weekend win.
James Tavernier and Connor Goldson are essentially untouchable on the right hand side of the defence, while Ben Davies should start against his former club alongside Borna Barisic at left back.
In midfield John Lundstram is a guaranteed starter at the base of the three, with the potential of slotting between the centre-backs to create a back five when out of possession.
That would be similar to how Rangers approached games against Borussia Dortmund last season, meaning a solid pairing in front of him providing great energy and ability in possession too with Glen Kamara and Ryan Jack.
That would see Scott Arfield drop out of the side for a more defensive approach, but it’s a necessity against a team that are likely to dominate possession and create a lot of chances in the game.
In attack the manager has a lot of options, but one player he doesn’t have available to him is Tom Lawrence who was ruled out until the World Cup at least with a fresh training injury.
That could allow loanee Malik Tillman to come back into the side on the right wing ahead of fellow summer arrival Rabbi Matondo, who had a decent showing at the weekend.
On the left will be Ryan Kent, who notched his first goal of the season late on at Tynecastle to add to his assist, where he’ll be given the honour of giving Trent Alexander-Arnold a nightmare defensively.
In attack both Alfredo Morelos and Antonio Colak were on the scoresheet against Hearts, but the Croatian started there and was brought off early in what was likely to save him for this game.
His 11 goals this season make him the top scorer, and the best chance Rangers have of finding the back of the net at Anfield.
Rangers predicted XI vs Liverpool: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic; Lundstram, Jack, Kamara; Tillman, Colak, Kent
In other Rangers news, five first-team players ruled out of Anfield clash for GvB