Adam Lallana gives verdict on Liverpool’s Champions League win over Rangers and hails ‘incredible’ Allan McGregor
Posted by  badge Boss on Oct 05, 2022 - 01:48AM
Adam Lallana lauded Alan McGregor’s performance at Anfield (Picture: BT Sport)

Adam Lallana singled out goalkeeper Allan McGregor for praise after the Scottish side were beaten 2-0 by Premier League giants at Anfield.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brilliant free-kick and Mohamed Salah’s penalty saw Liverpool secure a routine victory in the on Tuesday night.

While Rangers will return to Glasgow disappointed, it could have been a lot worse for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side, who were indebted to veteran shot-stopper McGregor for keeping the scoreline respectable.

Liverpool had 23 shots – 10 of which were on target – but only found a way past McGregor twice, with the 40=year-old making a string of saves to deny the likes of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.

Discussing the Champions League clash, former Liverpool midfielder and current Brighton star Lallana told : ‘It was extremely comfortable for Liverpool and I was a bit disappointed with how Rangers approached the game, especially after their good result at the weekend.

‘I thought they’d play with a bit more aggression and on the front foot, but it was total domination from Liverpool.

‘Rangers were passive in the way they set up. It was a flat back-five, [James] Tavernier never got forward. But it’s a tough place to go to.

The Rangers goalkeeper did his best to keep Liverpool at bay (Picture: Getty)

‘It can be intimidating, but maybe it was a perfect game for Liverpool tonight after a few that didn’t go their way.

‘It would have been five or six for Liverpool had it not been for Allan McGregor, I thought he was incredible tonight.’

The 2-0 win at Anfield sees Liverpool move to six points after three Champions League games, while Rangers remain bottom of Group A, still without a goal never mind a point.

Alexander-Arnold, who was named Player of the Match after starring for the home side, said: ‘The performance was great from the lads.

‘On Saturday [a 3-3 draw with Brighton] it was disappointing. We never got going, our press wasn’t there, we were slow out the blocks.

‘But it’s the complete opposite today. We started well and continued throughout the game. They had their spells and the second half was tough but overall we played outstanding.’

Van Bronckhorst, meanwhile, insisted his Rangers side – who are currently second in the Scottish Premiership, two points behind rivals Celtic – would learn from their somewhat humbling defeat on Merseyside.

‘We knew it was going to be a very difficult game,’ he said. ‘We knew the attacking threat they have, with players making runs almost every time they have the ball and have the space.

‘I think we have improved in the Champions League from the first game, but the level is very high and the level we had today wasn’t good enough to get something out of the game.

Jurgen Klopp was pleased with Liverpool’s routine win (Picture: Getty)

‘Don’t forget the opposition we are playing. Everyone is saying, “it’s Liverpool, they’re out of form”, well you see today the level they can reach.

‘The gap is obvious. You have to look at the squads – we are competing against one of the best sides in Europe.

‘It doesn’t mean you have to lose the game. I think we competed really well, and we will learn from this game. We should take those experiences into the next game and into the league.’

Liverpool and Rangers return to domestic action this weekend with the Reds travelling to Premier League leaders Arsenal and the Gers hosting St Mirren.

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