Rio Ferdinand has applauded two Rangers players despite lacklustre loss to Liverpool

Follow us on Google Discover

Rio Ferdinand applauded Rangers duo Rabbi Matondo and Fashion Sakala on BT Sport after the Ibrox wingers came off the bench and posed a challenge to Liverpool – albeit too late, with the scoreline at Anfield reading 2-0 to the Reds.

A gorgeous free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold, and then a penalty from Mo Salah, saw Liverpool cruise to three points. Rangers played five at the back and rarely offered any attacking excitement to their travelling fans throughout.

But that changed when Giovanni van Bronckhorst altered his front three. During the second half, he brought on Antonio Colak, Matondo and Sakala for Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Malik Tillman. Rangers had numerous chances.

Indeed, Colak had a shot blocked at point-blank range by Alisson. Sakala and Matondo actually attempted to run at the Liverpool full-backs and went past them – Matondo having a shot cleared off the line. Ferdinand praised the duo.

“To be fair the two wingers that came on later in the game, they wanted to get at people and they showed a different kind of energy,” Ferdinand told BT Sport. “If they started like that – hindsight is a great thing.

“But a bit more adventurous on the front foot with those other players, they may have given themselves a better opportunity or maybe wouldn’t have let Liverpool be so much on the front foot as they were.”

Ferdinand applauds Rangers duo Matondo and Sakala despite 2-0 loss

It was an emotional return to Anfield for Kent, who had obviously come through the ranks at Anfield. That might have played on his mind a little bit. He did very little of what Rangers fans have come to expect from the Englishman.

USA international Tillman had started the season in superb form but the Bayern loanee has since struggled. He was quite the bystander at Anfield before being taken off. Matondo and Sakala offered much more in their cameo roles.

It might tempt van Bronckhorst. At least, to take a look at either Matondo or Sakala on the weekend against St. Mirren – before making a decision for next week’s game against Liverpool, this time at Ibrox.