Spackman: Gio must pick more dynamic line-up for Liverpool return – it’s what the fans expect
Only as an exercise in damage limitation could the first Battle of Britain clash be construed as a passable job by Rangers.
Thanks to Allan McGregor’s ageless genius, Rangers escaped defeat on the scale of their harrowing night in Holland against Ajax and the home loss to fast-emerging tournament contenders, Napoli.
Ex-Rangers and Liverpool midfielder Nigel Spackman accepts motivation to stem the bleeding in a brutal Champions League section was understandable from Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
However, when pitchside on Wednesday at Ibrox for broadcasting duties, he hopes to be assessing a more daring Rangers line-up.
With no points, no goals and a place in the more-realistic Europa League on the line, Spackman says now is not the time for restraint – or resting on-form performers like Antonio Colak.
Spackman admits he was shocked that 11 goals in his first 14 Rangers games wasn’t sufficient to give the Croatian a crack at Jurgen Klopp’s defence until it was too late.
Spackman, who won three titles at Ibrox, said: “I think you’ve just got to look at on-form players scoring goals – and players with a bit of pace.
“Colak has to start. Maybe Morelos, who still isn’t up to full speed, was more comfortable for Liverpool to play against than the guy in red-hot form.
“In the Champions League you’ve got to play players who are fit and in form.
“When Colak got one late chance, he just wasn’t quick enough to get a shot on target, but that’s playing at a higher level.
“Rabbi Matondo looked dangerous when he came on, too, and would’ve got a goal back if Tsimikas hadn’t got back to kick one off the line.”
Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder admits Liverpool and Napoli are in a different league following his side’s 6-1 home thrashing by the Italians.
That leaves van Bronckhorst needing a positive result at home to Liverpool to start troubling his fellow Dutchmen for third.
Spackman said: “I look forward to Ibrox next week and seeing some old faces.
“I think it’s up to Gio to pick a more-dynamic team. A team that has a go. A team that has nothing to lose. It’s what the fans will expect.
“Because Rangers need points. There’s no value in being tentative and trying to nick the game 1-0, which I don’t think Rangers are capable of at this level.
“It’s one of those games where you have to go for it with the crowd behind you, then anything could happen.
“Rangers were a bit tentative, a bit negative at Anfield. You can understand, after the thrashing at Ajax, that was the last thing Gio wanted.
“I felt it was damage limitation in the selection and set-up, to try to frustrate and hit on the counter.
“But once you go a goal behind it’s pretty hard when Liverpool are so comfortable in possession and picking you off at times.
“Jordan Henderson gets around a bit, Thiago is good on the ball. But if you get on top off them and break off them then you’ll give Liverpool problems.
“Unfortunately, Rangers never did that. That’s what must change at Ibrox. They’ve got to show they’re dynamic, can work as a team, close down together – and that they’ve got an end product.
“Because, let’s remember, Rangers haven’t scored a goal yet in the competition.
“They were incredible in the Europa League, but this group is a serious step up in class.
“It’s now about trying to get three points against Liverpool. If they can overtake Ajax and get Europa League again, that would be amazing.”