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Alan Galindo

Former Celtic star Kris Commons highlights 'fast start' formula Rangers can replicate vs Liverpool

Kris Commons has highlighted the Brighton blueprint that Rangers should look to replicate against Liverpool in the Champions League.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men head for Anfield on matchday three of the group section and their first of two Battle of Britain showdowns. The Light Blues are yet to put any points on the board or score a goal in the tournament proper but head south of the border full of confidence after thrashing Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday lunchtime.

It was a different story for Jurgen Klopp's Reds as the early season struggles continue. Brighton claimed a share of the spoils in a six goal thriller at Anfield - and found themselves two goals to the good inside the opening 20 minutes, a fast start and formula former Celtic man Commons says Rangers should look to replicate.

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READ MORE: Liverpool v Rangers on TV: Channel, kick-off time and live stream details for mega Anfield game

Commons knows it is a very tall order for the Scottish side to go into Liverpool's own backyard and win all three points, despite the current form of their opponent but reckons the job is not as impossible as it may have seemed a coupe of months back.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, he said: "There seems to be a slight hangover from last season and we saw it once again in the 3-3 draw against Brighton at Anfield on Saturday.

"Brighton were 2-0 up after barely 20 minutes and that's the sort of fast start Rangers should look to replicate in tomorrow night's Champions League clash.

"There is an undoubted fragility to this Liverpool team at the moment. They have a soft centre and that's what Rangers should look to exploit.

"You can go through them all individually; Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Alisson, even Andy Robertson prior to his injury - they've all been off it this season.

"The image which probably best sums up Liverpool's troubles this season came in the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in August when James Milner was screaming at Van Dijk following a mistake.

"That's the sort of thing you just wouldn't have expected from Klopp's side previously. But they have looked a shadow of themselves at times.

"Napoli absolutely destroyed them in a 4-1 victory in the Champions League opener last month. That result simply wouldn't have happened last season.

"Listen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his players still face a tall order. Realistically, no one will expect them to go to Anfield and win.

"However, it's not as impossible as it would have seemed just a few months ago. Liverpool are currently slumped in mid-table in the Premier League.

"They've won only twice in their opening seven games. The draw with Brighton came on the back of draws with Fulham, Everton and Crystal Palace.

"In saying that, Liverpool also thrashed Bournemouth 9-0 just over a month ago, so clearly they are still an outstanding team on their day.

"They still possess an abundance of firepower up front and, when it all clicks, they remain capable of blowing teams away.

"No one is saying that the likes of Van Dijk and Co have turned into bad players overnight. Yet it's in defence where there does seem to be a weakness."

READ NEXT:

- Rangers boss van Bronckhorst reveals 'far better' than that chat with Cammy Devlin after Hearts red

- Jurgen Klopp's scathing pre-Rangers v Liverpool verdict as confidence low after 'horrendous' moments

- Joe Aribo in post Rangers EPL reality check as five brutal minutes leave him 'bitterly frustrated'

- Gio van Bronckhorst highlights Rangers trio for special praise as attentions turn to Anfield

- Steven Gerrard plans Rangers transfer raid as Kent Ibrox exit chances go up amid contract 'refusal'

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