Sam Stone

Wed 12 October 2022 20:48, UK

Steve McManaman felt James Tavernier was “bullied” by Roberto Firmino as the Brazilian equalised for Liverpool in their Champions League clash against Rangers.

The Liverpool striker headed home at the near post from Konstantinos Tsimikas’ 24th-minute corner to cancel out Scott Arfield’s 17th-minute opener.

McManaman wasn’t best pleased with the Gers captain after he was beaten by the Brazilian in what seemed like a fairly routine corner routine.

Talking on BT Sports commentary [20:24, 12 October], McManaman said: “They loaded up the far post didn’t they and nobody kept an eye on the near post and Firmino just gets above Tavernier and almost bullied him out the way and it’s a simple flick.”

Co-commentator Kevin Thomson added: “It’s a sore one it really is, it just shows you the frontman is so important.”

What an occasion

There have been some special nights at Ibrox over the years, but playing against Liverpool will rank near the very top for most Rangers fans.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side have shown more than enough in the first half to indicate that they can cause Liverpool problems.

When it comes to the Gers’ European hopes a point is a must for van Bronckhorst’s side against last year’s Champions League finalists. Napoli have done the Gers a massive favour by dispatching Ajax 4-2 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples.

It keeps the Eredivisie side within reach of Rangers, and if Liverpool can do the Light Blues a favour in Amsterdam, then it could well be a shootout at Ibrox for the Europa League qualifying place.

If Ajax are within reach for their trip to Ibrox then Van Bronckhorst’s side should fancy their chances of getting a result.

Rangers managing to finish third in a group this hard would be a remarkable achievement and certainly better than what their Old Firm rivals Celtic have managed in their far easier Champions League group.

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