MARK HATELEY has backed Rangers star Ryan Kent to thrive against his former club Liverpool tonight.

The winger, 25, will return to Anfield this evening for matchday three of the Champions League with Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side. 

It will be the first time since leaving the Reds that Kent will have the opportunity to play against his old side.

Hateley reckons the game presents a great chance for Kent to prove a point in showing just how much quality he has. 

The former England striker has highlighted Trent Alexander-Arnold as the defender for Kent to target.

He told Grosvenor Sport: "The Liverpool clash is a great game for Ryan Kent to play, he has a point to prove and I think he can own up to this one when I say that it hasn't been a good season for him so far.

"The numbers he’s producing have been low, but coming on at the weekend and scoring a goal will do his confidence the world of good.

"Players like Ryan thrive off confidence and he can take that to Anfield.

"Playing against Trent Alexander-Arnold will be a great opportunity for Kent to be taking Trent Alexander Arnold on a football journey so let's hope that can happen."

Hateley also reckons that his old side can make Liverpool pay for their current vulnerability at the back. 

And the ex-striker has backed both Alfredo Morelos and Allan McGregor at either end of the pitch to be the difference makers.

He added: "You can never say no in football. Brighton went to Anfield at the weekend and you wouldn’t have thought it was going to be 3-3.

"That's the crazy sort of results that defy the odds. But for Liverpool playing at Anfield, you can’t concede three goals. That should be the team talk.

"They need to be defensively organised without the ball, that's the key because, on the front foot, Liverpool are vulnerable and leaking goals. 

"I think both Alfredo Morelos and Antonio Colak could be match-winners. Alfredo needs to be ready at any given moment and be the Alfredo we know he can be, not the one that has fallen out of favour.

"Hopefully, after being in three or four episodes in this season, let's hope he can finally learn from sitting on the bench and take his career forward.

"Allan McGregor can be the difference maker against Liverpool. He has a big voice and personality. You need that, You need people who aren't afraid to open their mouths and call people out.

"He is that sort of person and leader and Rangers need that. He backs that up by making world-class saves. 

"He signed that extra year to play in the big leagues like the Champions League, and rightly so Connor Goldson and the back four will be pleased."