Four burning Rangers issues as Liverpool prepare to feel red-hot Ibrox cauldron

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men are still searching for their first points and first goals of the campaign.

Can they compound the misery of Jurgen Klopp’s out-of-sorts Reds?

Here are the four big talking points ahead of the mouth-watering showdown.

Can Rangers beat Liverpool?

There was a sense of frustration with last week’s 2-0 defeat in Merseyside as Rangers offered very little in an attacking sense. The aim was clearly to frustrate and contain but this is a Liverpool side in a spot of disarray and lacking in confidence. They appear to be suffering a hangover from challenging for four trophies last term and Klopp has already conceded this season’s Premier League title following their defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

The Reds are also suffering a bit of an injury crisis with Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip ruled out for weeks. Given Manchester City are next up for Liverpool, this is the ideal time for Rangers to face them. However, they must show a level of aggression and desire that was lacking last week. Their defence is suspect so the onus is on the hosts to pressurise them at any given opportunity. If they can produce a level of performance witnessed against Red Star, Braga, RB Leipzig and even, more recently, Union Saint-Gilloise then the first three points of the campaign could be added to the board.

Is European football post-Christmas achievable?

The short answer is yes, however, it’s imperative for Rangers that Ajax don’t produce a shock in Naples as well taking care of their own business. As things stand, should Rangers just pick up a point in their next two fixtures and the Dutch side lose to Napoli and Liverpool then it sets up a winner take all showdown at Ibrox next month for a place in the Europa League. All Rangers can do is focus on themselves, three points tonight would go a long way to instilling a belief they can finish third in the group. Even the most optimistic Rangers supporter would concede Champions League qualification is unlikely at best. It’s all about eyeing that third-placed finish from here.

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Should Fashion Sakala start?

The Zambian came in from the cold and impressed in an area of the pitch Rangers have struggled to fill at the weekend. He was afforded an opportunity at right-wing from the start against St Mirren at Ibrox on Saturday and repaid his manager with an assist and a deserved goal, undoubtedly playing his way into van Bronckhorst’s thinking for tonight. We all know his limitations but he offers Rangers something different and with Liverpool’s defence looking suspect, it makes sense to unleash Sakala. His ability to run at players and commit defenders, not to mention being a serious goal threat, makes him an ideal candidate to start the match.

Can the Ibrox crowd play a part?

Absolutely it can. As Ianis Hagi eloquently put it, “Ibrox, baby! It's just different!" It cannot be underestimated just how powerful the Rangers supporters are on European nights down Edmiston Drive. Just ask John Lundstram who was quizzed about the impact the home crowd can have prior to the Champions League qualifier with PSV Eindhoven.

“It does give you that extra ten per cent, no doubt about it," he said. “It really does motivate you and get you going and give you that extra yard of pace in everything. We need it again.”

The Scouser reiterated the significance of the crowd at yesterday's press conference. 

“At Ibrox, we have to get involved and get the crowd with us early, he said. “We have to be brave on the pitch and in the stands, no good sitting off this team we have to go for it.”

We witnessed Ibrox at its very best last season during the heroic Europa League run and should expect a similar atmosphere given it’s an English side that visit tonight. You could argue the Liverpool players won’t play in such an intimidating venue all season. If Rangers pick up any points tonight, you can be sure those in attendance will have played their part.