By Victor Kanayo
After a disappointing 3-3 draw during the English Premier League action last weekend, Liverpool outclassed Rangers of Scotland in one of the group stage matches of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
Liverpool star Trent Alexander Arnold scored a sensational free-kick to ensure the Reds pulled victory at the Anfield.
The Reds full back, who has come in for criticism for his performances so far this season, gave a timely reminder of his qualities with a sublime 25-yard set piece to open the scoring on seven minutes.
The hosts could and perhaps should have been out of sight by the interval but Gers keeper Allan McGregor produced a series of top-drawer saves to deny Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez on multiple occasions.
The pattern continued in the second half and it was no surprise when the Merseysiders finally doubled their advantage when Salah coolly converted a spot kick on 53 minutes.
The result sees Liverpool sit second in Group A, just three points behind leaders Napoli. Ajax are third on three points while Rangers are pointless from three games played.
Next up, Rangers entertain St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday while Liverpool travel to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
The sides will then meet again in the Champions League at Ibrox next Wednesday October 12, 2022.
Similarly, Napoli demolished Ajax 6-1 in Amsterdam as Luciano Spalletti’s side made it three Champions League wins from three.
The first-half was played at an incredible tempo as both side’s tried to implement their attacking style on the game.
Ajax went ahead when Mohammed Kudus scored from close range early on but the Italian side then turned it on scoring three goals before the break.
Giacomo Raspadori headed in the first, Giovanni Di Lorenzo connected with a Khvicha Kvaratskhelia cross after a short corner with a bullet header to put them in front and then Piotr Zielinski finished to make it three.
Straight after half-time Raspadori netted his second of the game when Ajax were robbed of possession when trying to pass out from the back. He then combined with Kvaratskhelia as he calmly finished making it five. Substitute Giovanni Simeone finished late on for number six.
Ajax’s night got even worse when Dusan Tadic was sent off for a second bookable offence.
In Germany, Bayern Munich made lightweight of Viktoria Plzen with a 5-0 thrashing earlier on Tuesday.
Tottenham away to Germany could not get a victory against host Eintracht Frankfurt as their encounter ended goalless.
However, it was a night to forget for La Liga giants Barcelona as they lost to Inter Milan in Italy.
