Liverpool welcome Rangers to Anfield tonight in a game neither team would have chosen as their Champions League lifeline.

Rangers go into the clash off the back of two-consecutive thrashings at the hands of Ajax and Napoli, whilst the Reds found salvation against the Dutch side three weeks ago after their own mauling at the hands of the Serie A leaders.

We look at where the game could be won and lost ahead of the latest instalment in the 'battle of Britain'. 

Ryan Kent has been in good form for Rangers this season and could cause Liverpool problems

KENT v TRENT

Rangers winger Ryan Kent has often been criticised for a lack of end product but a goal and assist in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Hearts will have given him confidence ahead of the return to his old club.

Kent must try to exploit the weaknesses of Trent Alexander-Arnold and the space behind him at Anfield. Effective going forward, the right back’s defensive deficiencies have been highlighted during Liverpool’s poor start to the season. If Kent can repeat the heights seen against Borussia Dortmund last season, he can add to Alexander-Arnold’s worries and be a key outlet for Rangers.

AERIAL MENACE

The Ibrox side’s fragility when defending corners has been exposed in Europe this season and given manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst cause to tweak his marking system. Liverpool will provide a major test of its improvement. Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk were dominant when attacking set-pieces against Ajax last month, with Matip heading in a late winner. Tracking the slick movement and technical quality of Jurgen Klopp’s team is difficult enough and Rangers cannot afford to give up easy chances from corners.

FINDING THE RIGHT FOCAL POINT

Amid all the debate about Rangers’ summer signings, no one questions the value of £1.8million striker Antonio Colak, with two goals against taking his tally to 11 for the season. The Croat scored the goal that took Rangers into the group stage — but is he the right pick for Anfield? Van Bronckhorst played Alfredo Morelos against Napoli and was rewarded with an improved team display, before a red card for James Sands led to a 3-0 defeat. Morelos’s European credentials are not in doubt. But nor is Colak’s form. With Liverpool vulnerable and leaking goals, Van Bronckhorst faces a key call.

THE THIN BLUE LINE

It is stating the obvious to suggest Rangers will have to produce a supreme defensive display to avoid defeat.

In goal, Allan McGregor must replicate the levels shown recently with two penalty saves against Napoli but he knows what it is like to win against Liverpool from his days with Hull. Centre back Ben Davies will face the club he left three months ago in a deal worth up to £4m and it could be a huge night for him to show his worth.