Rangers will be aiming to get themselves off the mark in this season's Champions League when they host Liverpool on Wednesday, having suffered three straight defeats in Group A.

The Reds, meanwhile, will hope to extend their three-point gap ahead of third-placed Ajax.

Match preview

Rangers' first season back in the Champions League group stages for 12 years has not exactly gone to plan so far, with the Gers comprehensively beaten by Ajax, Napoli and Liverpool.

Champions League football was always likely to be a challenging step up in class for the Europa League runners-up, but having beaten the likes of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig on the way to the final in Seville last season, Giovanni van Bronckhorst may have expected his players to be more competitive than they have shown this time around.

The Dutchman switched to a back five at Anfield last week, but they were still ripped apart on numerous occasions during the 2-0 defeat, with Allan McGregor pulling off eight saves across the course of the match in an astonishing display of goalkeeping.

His side returned to winning ways with a thumping 4-0 win against St Mirren at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership at the weekend, and there is little doubt that it will be a much tougher experience for Liverpool facing Rangers away from home.

Although Ibrox witnessed some big European nights last season, in truth very little compares to Europe's elite competition and the soundtrack and allure that comes with it. Rangers' mission on Wednesday is clear: they must win in order to remain in the Champions League.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have a much healthier position in Group A than when leaving Naples with a 4-1 defeat in their opening match, but there are still glaring signs of vulnerabilities in Jurgen Klopp's camp after their 3-2 defeat to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

As has been a recurring theme in recent times, the Reds conceded first to Gabriel Martinelli's tidy finish with barely a minute in the match gone, before Darwin Nunez bagged his first goal since the opening day of the season to level the proceedings after 34 minutes.

Nunez's equaliser was a fully deserved one, too, with Thiago Alcantara helping the visitors wrestle control of the match. However, once again, Klopp's side shot themselves in the foot in a moment of transition, with Martinelli racing up the pitch from a Liverpool corner to square the ball for Bukayo Saka to tap home on the stroke of half time.

Substitute Roberto Firmino continued his excellent form in front of goal by rifling the ball into the far corner with his weaker foot eight minutes after the break, but an Arsenal winner felt inevitable and duly came when Saka converted a penalty following Thiago's trip on Gabriel Jesus.

With Liverpool already 14 points behind Arsenal and trailing Manchester City by only one fewer, a league title challenge feels increasingly unlikely, making their progression to the Champions League knockout stage more important than ever.

With Napoli's match against Ajax finishing before his side kickoff at Ibrox on Wednesday, Klopp may have a watchful eye on events in Naples, as a home win would mean that the Reds would have the opportunity to move six points clear of the Eredivisie champions ahead of their trip to Amsterdam in two weeks' time.

Team News

With his side having to win in order to remain in the competition, Van Bronckhorst admitted that a "different approach" will be needed on Wednesday compared to the trip to Anfield last week, suggesting that he is likely to revert to a back four.

Antonio Colak bagged a brace during Saturday's win against St Mirren and should start ahead of Alfredo Morelos in attack, with the Colombian struggling for sharpness after a long layoff due to injury.

Glen Kamara could start in midfield in order to provide more composure in that area of the pitch, while James Sands could edge out former Liverpool man Ben Davies in central defence having served his one-game suspension last week.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will travel to Glasgow without Luis Diaz after the winger suffered a knee injury following a collision with Arsenal's Thomas Partey late in the first half at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Colombia international was pictured leaving North London on crutches with a knee brace, with Klopp admitting that "it doesn't look good" in a huge blow for his side.

Having utilised four attackers against Rangers last week, the German stuck with an attacking formation against Arsenal, and may do so once again in midweek despite suffering defeat. As such, Firmino is likely to replace the injured Diaz, with Diogo Jota shifting to the left flank.

Ibrahima Konate made his first appearance of the season during the second half after returning from a knee injury and could partner Virgil van Dijk in defence, while Joe Gomez is set to start at right-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold doubtful due to an ankle issue, which led to him being subbed at half time against Arsenal.

Klopp may look to freshen things up in midfield, with Fabinho provided with an opportunity to regain some form in place of club captain Jordan Henderson, who could be taken out of the firing line following a bust-up with Gabriel on Sunday, which is being investigated by the Football Association.

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Barisic; Lundstram, Davis, Kamara; Sakala, Colak, Kent

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Jota; Nunez

We say: Rangers 1-3 Liverpool

We expect Rangers to give Liverpool a much tougher match than the Reds' comfortable 2-0 win at Anfield last week, but the visitors are likely to have too much firepower in the end.

The Gers' necessity to go for the win may play into Klopp's side's hands as, despite their recent defensive issues, they still retain bags of pace and quality in attack.

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