Doug Ward

Wed 12 October 2022 21:50, UK

Rangers are close to being completely knocked out of European football after a 7-1 defeat to Liverpool at Ibrox on Wednesday night.

Scott Arfield scored the Gers’ first Champions League goal in 12 years in the 17th minute but the Scottish side’s lead was short-lived thanks to Roberto Firmino heading in a corner seven minutes later.

Firmino doubled Liverpool’s lead after the break before Darwin Nunez grabbed a goal.

Substitute Mohamed Salah then came off the bench to score a five-minute hat-trick – the fastest in Champions League history before VAR intervened to allow a goal by Harvey Elliott.

Here, Ibrox News rates the players out of 10 for their performances:

Allan McGregor – 3

McGregor was Rangers’ hero away at Liverpool last week. But unfortunately, the veteran goalkeeper wasn’t at his best at Ibrox on Wednesday. He should have done better to prevent the corner that led to Liverpool’s first goal, he was too easily beaten for their second when Firmino’s shot went through his legs and the third saw him gift the ball away to the away side for Nunez’s goal.

James Tavernier – 2

Tavernier’s defensive weaknesses were exposed massively. Liverpool opened their scoring because Tavernier cannot defend a set-piece to save his life. Firmino found it way too easy to head in over him at the front post. He was also sloppy in possession.

Connor Goldson – 7

We’re absolutely gutted for Goldson. He was playing brilliantly before he was forced off just before half time with a thigh injury. Darwin Nunez really struggled against the former Brighton centre-back, who we hope isn’t out for long.

Ben Davies – 3

It was always going to be a tough ask for Davies. It became an even tougher task when Goldson got injured. Davies started really well but definitely faded after the half-time break. We’re sure he’ll turn out to be a good signing for the Gers and we’re not going to judge him for his performance against Liverpool’s big-money forwards.

Borna Barisic – 0

Barisice was in absolute no man’s land for Liverpool’s second goal. While Joe Gomez was pushing forward after the Croatian needlessly moved out of position, he was seen jogging back and allowing Ryan Kent to do the hard defensive work. Woeful. We’re sick of seeing Barisic doing this. He also needlessly played Nunez onside for his goal and was easily done over for two of Salah’s goals. What does Ridvan Yilmaz have to do to get a game? At this point, we’re better off sticking McGregor at left-back. Barisic is one of the worst players we’ve seen grace the Champions League group stages. He’s an embarrassment.

Ryan Jack – 6

It was a solid shift by Jack. He looked good on the ball but his night unfortunately ended early due to injury. We hope it’s not yet another spell on the sidelines for the Scotland midfielder.

John Lundstram – 4

Lundstram really impressed us in the first half but his performance waned as the game went on. He looked cool, calm and collected as we dominated the opening 45 minutes but after the break he was a bit all over the place. A game of two halves for the former Everton player.

Scott Arfield – 6

Arfield took his goal really well. He’s so good at playing in that attacking midfield role where he arrives late in the box and grabs goals. He did miss a big chance to double his tally and we didn’t really look the same after that.

Fashion Sakala – 4

We’re not sure where to start with Sakala. Every now and then he looks like a real player. He’s got pace, he can drive forward and can get the team up the pitch. But he does that so few and far between. Is it worth playing him? Van Bronckhorst doesn’t seem to think that based on his appearance stats this season.

Ryan Kent – 3

Either get him to sign a new contract or get him gone in January. Kent hasn’t turned up for Rangers all season and we’re sick to death of it. The ex-Liverpool forward struts around as though he’s got a god-given right to be in this side. He’s terrible.

Antonio Colak – 5

It was an off night for Colak. Nothing really went his way and the players around him didn’t do much to help out.

Substitutions:

Leon King (on for Goldson, ’45) – 2

Steven Davies (on for Jack, ’60) – 4

Alfredo Morelos (on for Colak, ’77) – N/A

Scott Wright (on for Kent, ’77) – N/A

Rabbi Matondo (on for Sakala, ’77) – N/A

In other Rangers news, there’s been yet another high-profile exit from behind the scenes at Ibrox.