George Overhill

Wed 12 October 2022 12:30, UK

Ryan Kent is predicted to return to the starting line up but Fashion Sakala will keep his place for Rangers as Liverpool visit Ibrox.

Jurgen Klopp’s side come to Glasgow on Wednesday night (13 October) after winning 2-0 at Anfield last week (4 October), with the Gers looking to use their home advantage to register their first goals in the group.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst is predicted to make four changes from that game, and two from the weekend where his side played out a comfortable 4-0 victory over St Mirren on Saturday, while Liverpool were beaten 3-2 at Arsenal a day later.

There was much focus on Kent’s return to the club where he started his career before the first game, where he failed to make an impact, but after dropping to the bench for the league win it is likely he returns to the line up in front of the home fans.

He proved last season that he can be a real danger on European nights at Ibrox as he won penalty after penalty cutting in from the left, but Sakala, brought in from the cold at the weekend to register his first goal of the season could stay on the other wing.

Antonio Colak scored his 12th and 13th goals of the season in that game, and while Alfredo Morelos was given the chance to lead the line at Anfield it is surely impossible for the manager to leave the Croatia international out again.

Ben Davies, signed from Liverpool in the summer started both the previous two games but was subbed off each time, suggesting van Bronckhorst isn’t fully sold.

The Dutchman went for a back five at Anfield, but needs to be more forward thinking at home considering it didn’t bring much success in England, so could go for the the 4-3-3 that he often favoured on last season’s European run, with John Lundstram in midfield but able to drop back into the back line if necessary.

Teenager Leon King started at Anfield and replaced Davies at the weekend, so he may well be in line to get the nod from the start, as the manager spoke highly off him before the game.

He is predicted to line up next to Connor Goldson in defence, with James Tavernier and Borna Barisic on either side, ahead of hero from the away game Allan McGregor in goal.

The Rangers boss confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Glen Kamara was the only new injury worry, so he won’t be part of a three-man midfield. Lundstram should start with Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield, who should be more combative than Steven Davis who played on Merseyside.

Kent has been off form, but needing to attack there is little chance that he doesn’t make the XI, while Sakala should have done enough on Saturday to partner him, either side of Colak, with Morelos on the bench.

A result can still boost the club’s chances of making the Europa League and Liverpool aren’t in great form so there remains plenty to play for.

In other Rangers news, the opponents have lost two key men to injury ahead of the game.