THERE was a time when Kenny Dalglish would have applauded what he witnessed at Ibrox.
Born in Dalmarnock in the east of Glasgow, the Scot grew up following Rangers and dreamed of representing his boyhood club.
But as the Liverpool boss walked away from his home city last night it was clear he had taken little satisfaction from the contest
His hopes that this mid-season friendly would see fringe players stake a claim for more regular action were dashed. There will be no selection headache for the manager ahead of Saturday’s league clash with Norwich City at Anfield. Those who currently hold the shirts on the back of the draw against Manchester United can sleep easy ahead of the weekend.
Much has been said this season about the greater strength in depth at Dalglish’s disposal. But when given the opportunity last night, those understudies failed to turn up.
A shadow Reds side were deservedly beaten by Ally McCoist’s SPL leaders, who should have had more than Lee McCulloch’s strike to show for their efforts.
Dalglish hailed this fixture as a great chance to gain some ‘European experience’ but for too many players motivation looked to be short supply. It was a night which rammed home just how far Liverpool had fallen prior to Dalglish’s appointment.
While all eyes were on both Manchester clubs in the Champions League, the Reds were playing a glorified training exercise north of the border.
It’s only two and a half years since Real Madrid were blown away 4-0 at Anfield and how those European nights are missed.
Once they were taken for granted, not any more. Absence has made the heart grow fonder.
If Liverpool’s players needed any greater encouragement to secure a top four finish this season then the threat of more mid-season friendlies if they fail should suffice.
Rangers maybe Scottish champions and setting the pace again in the SPL this term but these are worrying times for the Glasgow giants.
Club legend John Greig and John McClelland dramatically quit as directors on Monday in protest at being isolated following Craig Whyte's takeover.
The problems are mounting for Scottish businessman Whyte, who bought the club from Sir David Murray in May.
Former director Donald McIntyre has won a legal bid to have £300,000 of the club's assets frozen pending a breach of contract case.
And Whyte’s takeover is the subject of a BBC documentary tomorrow which the Gers have labelled a ‘prejudiced muckraking exercise’ and has led to the club withdrawing co-operation with the broadcaster for the second time this season.
More serious for Rangers is the fact that the threat of administration is looming due an ongoing tax dispute amid reports they could owe Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs up to £49m.
Their financial situation has hardly been helped by early exits from both the Champions League and Europa League as they were sent packing by first Malmo and then Maribor before the end of August.
As a result they have sought prestigious friendlies to fill the void and they will be counting the pennies after Dalglish’s men attracted a crowd of 27,453.
The last time Liverpool visited Ibrox in August 2008 they cruised to an emphatic 4-0 victory at the start of a campaign which saw them produce a gutsy challenge for the Premier League title.
However, the 2,500 travelling fans’ hopes of seeing another rout were swiftly dashed during a lacklustre opening 45 minutes.
Skipper Lucas Leiva was the only starter who had faced United three days earlier and he was surrounded by team-mates who have been short of action recently.
It showed as passes went astray and there was a general sloppiness about Liverpool’s play.
There was the welcome sight of Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio back after injuries but Dalglish’s men were a distant second best. Rangers were sharper in all departments and the Reds had Alexander Doni to thank for keeping the score down.
The Brazilian shot-stopper twice thwarted Alejandro Bedoya before he was finally beaten in the 20th minute.
McCulloch drove home despite the best efforts of Aurelio on the post after Liverpool had failed to deal with a corner.
Doni then did brilliantly to turn away Matt McKay’s header from Lee Wallace’s cross.
Ten minutes before the interval, Steve Davis raced through a gaping hole in the Reds’ rearguard but lifted his shot over the bar.
Craig Bellamy can count himself unfortunate not to have seen more competitive action following his return to Anfield. He was the Reds’ match-winner in the Carling Cup at Brighton and helped turn the Merseyside derby.
However, the Welshman did little to further his claims last night. Abused by the home fans from start to finish as a result of his playing days with Celtic, he failed to silence the boo boys.
Bellamy was one of four players to be brought off midway through the second half as Dalglish turned to Stewart Downing, Dirk Kuyt, Charlie Adam and Jon Flanagan for an injection of quality. Adam received a warm ovation on his first outing at Ibrox since his nine-year association with Rangers ended in 2009.
By the time Dalglish rung the changes Liverpool were lucky not to be further adrift.
Kyle Lafferty’s shot was turned on to the post by Doni but it squirmed goalwards and looked to have crossed the line before the keeper dragged it back. The assistant gave the Reds the benefit of the doubt but Doni was forced off with a dislocated finger and replaced by Martin Hansen.
Maxi Rodriguez should have restored parity when he ran clear after pouncing on a mistake but dallied and the chance went begging.
Lafferty struck the bar with Hansen beaten before the arrival of Jose Enrique and Jordan Henderson sparked a late flourish from the Reds. Henderson went close on two occasions but an equaliser wasn’t forthcoming.
Andy Carroll capped a disappointing display by nodding Downing’s corner wide and then had claims for a penalty waved away.
It was a scrappy end to an instantly forgettable night.
Liverpool: Doni (Hansen 57), Johnson (Flanagan 66), Agger (Skrtel 77), Coates, Wilson (Enrique 78), Bellamy (Kuyt 66), Spearing, Lucas (Adam 66), Aurelio (Downing 66), Rodriguez (Henderson 78), Carroll. Not used: Reina.
Rangers: McGregor (Alexander 45), Whittaker (McMillan 45), Weir, Broadfoot, Wallace (Perry 45), Bedoya (Bendiksen 65), McCulloch (McCabe 77), Davis (Fleck 45), McKay (Kerkar 65), Jelavic (Lafferty 45), Ortiz (Healy 77).
Referee: Willie Collum
Attendance: 27,453
