While that’s far from the highest bar, the Reds have put in a string of poor performances both domestically and in Europe in recent months, but the signature aggression and intensity made a welcome return for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Trent Alexander-Arnold put himself back in the spotlight, this time for reasons he will be much happier with, as he curled a stunning free kick to put Liverpool ahead in the early stages.
An equalizing goal for Rangers never seemed likely, but the Reds took care of the nerves as they doubled the lead after the break. Mohamed Salah sending a penalty after Luis Diaz was knocked down.
While Napoli hold a firm grip on the lead in Group A after a 6-1 win over Ajax, Liverpool will be well positioned to make progress if they take another three points at Ibrox next week. Before that, a big test is in the pipeline in the Emirates against Premier League table toppers Arsenal.
Klopp stepped out of his favored formation and instead opted for a 4-2-3-1, with Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Diaz all coming to the side alongside Salah in an attacking line-up.
Unsurprisingly, Liverpool got off to a flying start and they got their reward with seven minutes on the clock. Alexander-Arnold stood over a free kick 25 yards from the goal and duly swung it over the wall and under the crossbar to sensationally open the score.
From then on it was Allan McGregor’s show, the 40-year-old only saved from Nunez in the first 45 minutes, as the striker found the veteran between him and a first Champions League goal for Liverpool time and again.
The goalkeeper was also called into action when Salah curled an effort into the far corner. It seemed to have escaped Borna Barisic’s attention that the Egyptian is left-footed, as he regularly had Liverpool’s key man cut into the right wing.
Jota was close to tapping in Virgil van Dijk’s flick-on from a corner, the defender’s touch taking him inches out of reach, with the main positive for Rangers in the first half being the whistle coming with Liverpool’s advantage not doubling.
Liverpool could have easily scored more than one goal in the first half
/ Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesThe Reds had to wait a minute longer for their goal in the second half than in the opening period, as Rangers suffered another early blow to their plans.
Diaz was picked by Jordan Henderson and ran straight for Leon King, crossing a straight leg into the penalty area while the referee had to make the simplest decisions. Salah stepped over to the spot and lifted it over McGregor to give his side the control they deserved.
The Scottish goalkeeper continued to supplement his personal highlights package and has since become a feature film. Jota spun into the penalty area and hammered a shot that was seemingly destined for the far corner, but McGregor reached out a glove to tip it over the crossbar.
Rangers were largely unable to put the pressure on the Liverpool defense that so many teams have put up so far this season, but a minute of chaos threatened a finish in the stands. Rabbi Matondo squeezed an effort past Alisson to watch Kostas Tsimikas unbelievably send it over the crossbar as he raced back to his own line, before the goalkeeper made a big save to refuse Antonio Colak seconds later.
It was too late for that episode to serve as anything but a brief reminder of the vulnerabilities at the back for Liverpool, something Rangers will have to be much more courageous in a bid to capitalize on domestically next week.