Fashion Sakala starts against Liverpool

Zambia national team forward Fashion Sakala Jnr has been handed a starting berth for FC Rangers who welcome Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.

Head Coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst has made one change to his starting eleven for tonight’s Group A match against the Reds at Ibrox Stadium.

Following Saturday’s 4-0 league win over St Mirren, Ryan Kent returns to the team this evening as Rangers look to secure their first points on matchday four of Europe’s premier club competition. 

Rabbi Matondo drops out of the side that started against the Buddies at the weekend.

Allan McGregor starts between the posts with a backline featuring captain James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ben Davies and Borna Barisic looking to protect the club’s number one from the Reds’ attacking threat led by Fabio Carvalho, Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino. 

In midfield John Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield will be asked to provide energy and creativity with Kent and Fashion Sakala playing either side of in-form striker Antonio Colak.

Sakala put in a fantastic performance over the weekend against St Mirren with a goal in the 91st minute and an assist to earn his first start in the Champions League. 

Meanwhile Ibrahima Konate starts for the first time this season as Liverpool make six changes for the Champions League clash with Rangers at Ibrox.

Joe Gomez also comes into defence, while Fabio Carvalho, Harvey Elliott and Fabinho return in midfield. Roberto Firmino is named in attack.

Andy Robertson returns among the substitutes in Glasgow.

RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier, Lundstram, Goldson, Jack, Colak, Kent, Davies, Sakala, Barisic, Arfield

SUBS: McLaughlin, Yilmaz, Davis, Matondo, Sands, Morelos, Wright, McCrorie, King, Devine, Tillman

Liverpool: Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott, Carvalho, Firmino, Nunez.

Subs: Adrian, Kelleher, Thiago, Milner, Salah, Jota, Robertson, Bajcetic, Phillips.