Jurgen Klopp needed something to calm the nerves and reduce the noise around Liverpool and Rangers were only too happy to oblige as they offered the mildest of Champions League resistance.
Liverpool were hardly in crisis but they have not been themselves and even manager Klopp admitted he would have been feeling the same emotions expressed by supporters frustrated at the drop in standards this season during Saturday's 3-3 draw with Brighton at Anfield.
This was just what Liverpool ordered as a comfortable 2-0 win pushed them close to the group phase, the feelgood factor turned up several notches by the sight of Trent Alexander-Arnold, seemingly English football's current hot topic of debate, showing his brilliance with a stunning early free-kick to set them on their way.