Liverpool headed into the game on a poor run of form, which has already all-but ended their Premier League title hopes.
In the Champions League, meanwhile, they were smashed by Napoli and scraped a win over Ajax.
However, Rangers had lost two and not scored a goal in the Champions League this season before Tuesday, meaning Liverpool were still favourites.
And, when all was said and done at Anfield, Liverpool came away with a comfortable win.
Liverpool opted to start in a 4-2-3-1 following their poor form, with Diogo Jota playing behind Darwin Nunez.
Nunez started well and won a free-kick inside seven minutes, which Trent Alexander-Arnold scored.
The home side then started brightest in the second 45 and won a penalty after 51 minutes through Luis Diaz, which Mohamed Salah scored.
Rangers had a few good chances late in the tie but were unable to get a goal back.
Liverpool player ratings
Alisson (5) – Had very little to do for much of the game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (6) – Great free-kick to open the scoring. Was once again defensively suspect, though, being turned by Kent several times.
Joel Matip (6) – A solid showing, playing out from the back and driving forward to help start attacks.
Virgil van Dijk (5.5) – Decent display but had little to do.
Kostas Tsimikas (5) – His crossing could have been better. Made a goal-line clearance late on.
Jordan Henderson (6) – Played a couple of good balls to start attacks and had little to do defensively.
Thiago (5.5) – Controlled the game well with his quick passing. Was lapse defensively, which led to a few Rangers’ chances.
Mohamed Salah (6) – Salah made some good passes to find Nunez and tested McGregor with his curling efforts from the right. Scored from the spot.
Diogo Jota (6) – Caused Rangers issues with his free-roaming role behind Nunez.
Luis Diaz (6.5) – Diaz made some decent chances for himself, cutting inside and curling efforts at goal. He also won a penalty, which Salah scored.
Darwin Nunez (6) – Started brightly, getting a shot off and drawing a free-kick, which TAA scored. Tested McGregor a few times but was unable to score.
Substitutes
Roberto Firmino (4) – Did little of note.
Fabinho (4.5) – Helped Liverpool see out the game.
James Milner (N/A)
Joe Gomez (N/A)
Rangers player ratings
Allan McGregor (7) – Could not do much about the opener. Made several good saves to deny Nunez in the first half.
James Tavernier (4) – Offered little going forward and did a poor job of marking Diaz.
Connor Goldson (4) – Had a tough time dealing with Nunez.
Leon King (2) – Was unable to deal with the pace of Luis Diaz, giving away a penalty in the second half.
Boran Barisic (3) – Allowed Salah to cut inside on his left far too much.
Malik Tilman (4) – Offered little at either end before being subbed off.
John Lundstram (4) – Struggled to mark Diogo Jota.
Steven Davies (4) – Spent much of the game in his own half and did not win many duels, often being by-passed by balls from Thiago and Henderson.
Ryan Kent (5) – Did not see too much of the ball but caused Trent problems throughout the night.
Alfredo Morelos (4) – Was very isolated up top and did not test Alisson.
Substitutes
Ryan Jack (4.5) – Caused some issues for Liverpool with his pace but did little of note.
Fashion Sakala (N/A)
Antonio Colak – Was brought on to add some attacking threat but missed a great chance 85 minutes in.
Glen Kamara (N/A)
Rabbi Motonda (5) – Would have scored if not for a great clearance by Tsimikas.
Fan reaction
Much more like their old selves tonight from @LFC A timely performance with a huge game on the horizon this weekend.
— Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) October 4, 2022
Lots of people talking smack about Alexander-Arnold this season…but that’s why he’s a killa
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) October 4, 2022
This Nunez performance….. Klopp was right again ffs
— Thijs (@lfcthijs) October 4, 2022
Luis Diaz is the one.
— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) October 4, 2022
Allan McGregor tonight pic.twitter.com/xM6gJbZyRy
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) October 4, 2022
Expert view
Absolute perfection from Alexander-Arnold. Fancied him to score when he put the ball down, and he did.
Perfect start for him, and for Liverpool.
1-0 #LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) October 4, 2022
Alexander-Arnold answers his critics (who will themselves answer back “well yeah we never said you couldn’t score free-kicks”)
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) October 4, 2022
Trent Alexander-Arnold has now scored six direct free-kick goals for Liverpool:
◉ vs. Hoffenheim (2017)
◉ vs. Watford (2018)
◉ vs. Crystal Palace (2020)
◉ vs. Chelsea (2020)
◉ vs. West Ham (2021)
◉ vs. Rangers (2022) 🆕Another special strike. #UCL pic.twitter.com/6XQ2eF7jWr
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 4, 2022
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