Reports of Liverpool’s demise proved overblown in the end. When the mood takes them, last season’s Champions League finalists are still capable of overwhelming opponents with shock and awe.
Marcus Tavernier played for Bournemouth in a 9-0 defeat at Anfield in August. Rangers captain and older brother James had a taste of how that felt when the Reds responded to Scott Arfield opening the scoring by rattling in six goals in 32 second-half minutes at Ibrox. Having been level 1-1 at half-time, it was a ruthless display.
Not since an infamous defeat to Celtic in the 1957 League Cup final have Rangers been on the end of such a hiding.