Kris Boyd praised defender Leon King’s performance during Glasgow Rangers’ 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Aside from giving away a costly penalty in the second half, Boyd thinks 18-year-old King ‘actually done well’ for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side on Merseyside.
If Liverpool had fielded a teenager yesterday, then it would have been a big ask for that individual to perform to a high standard, but for King, aside from the penalty, to look comfortable out on the Anfield pitch is a credit to the player.
The gulf in class between Rangers and Liverpool is pretty clear, when one Liverpool player’s wages are probably worth more than the entire Rangers team, then that tells you everything you need to know.
Despite that, from open play, the Gers kept the Premier League side at bay, only for Trent Alexander-Arnold to muster some magic with his wicked free-kick inside ten minutes, on top of Mohamed Salah’s second-half penalty.
Nonetheless, Boyd was left impressed with how King ‘stood up to the challenge’ yesterday, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports News.
“He’s actually done well,” said Boyd. “He gave away the penalty, but he’s actually done well.
“He has stood up to the challenge. It’s very difficult. I think anytime he’s not dived in, apart from the penalty which is a learning curve for him, but he’s not given away free kicks.
“With the talent Liverpool have got, this is a big, big step up for Leon King and what he is used to playing. But he’s actually handled himself well.”
CAN RANGERS CAUSE AN UPSET AT IBROX?
If Rangers were going to have any chance of causing an upset, then it’s going to be in front of their own fans.
Liverpool will travel to Ibrox next Wednesday night for what should be a mouthwatering contest.
Anfield is known for its European nights, well, whilst the gulf in class between the two is far apart on the field of play, the same can’t be said for those in the stands.
One thing is for sure, Rangers fans will make it as hostile as possible and this is going to be a serious test for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
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