Rangers vs. Liverpool: *Bumper* Post-Match Analysis

Paul Tomkins, Andrew Beasley, Daniel Rhodes and other TTT regulars will give their thoughts on the match for 24 hours after the game, so the article received via email is unlikely to be the final version. There's statistics from the match and videos too.

Post-Match Thoughts

Paul Tomkins

Well, that was a second half and a half – a second-45 "won" 6-0, with the fastest ever Champions League hat-trick. Mo Salah, on as a sub, somehow managed to overshadow the brilliant Bobby Firmino. It finally all clicked for the Reds, after weeks of clunking.

Previous big wins haven't always led to better things for Liverpool in recent seasons, but to rest key players (with others out injured) and win 7-1 away is about as good as it gets. Qualification from the group is now surely about 90% done, given that Napoli won't have to send their A-team to Anfield, even if the Reds don't get a point in Amsterdam.

Momentum doesn't really exist in the way people think, but confidence and rhythm is what you want, even if it guarantees nothing.

You just don't want to go into a game like the weekend's against Man City with more issues; instead, goals and assists galore for the strikers, and tired legs rested in a midweek win. It's unlikely to breed overconfidence given the fixture awaiting, but should lift spirits and bring a bit more belief, with the energy levels looking good again.

Rangers aren't a great side, but they were at home in a hostile stadium, and have European experience of late. It felt like a feverish cup tie, until after the break, when the gulf in quality told.

Liverpool went younger, as was required (and also enforced), and the lack of too many old guys meant one of the fresher older ones (Firmino, who didn't play a lot last season), could show his world-class talent. As could Salah, as a late sub.

At the back, Ibrahima Konaté, 23, carried on from last season, looking ridiculously good, and the future legs for Virgil van Dijk, who could stroll a bit more beside him.

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