Steven Gerrard might have extra reason to want Rangers win over Ramiro Funes Mori

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Rangers take on Villarreal in a crucial Europa League clash this week. Steven Gerrard’s men welcome the Spanish side to Glasgow and will hope to use Ibrox advantage to get one over the La Liga side.

Not that Rangers boss Gerrard will need an extra reason to get one over on the Yellow Submarine, but he does have one.

This summer saw Ramiro Funes Mori leave Everton. The Argentine headed to Villarreal in a deal reported to be in the region of £9.5 million by the Liverpool Echo.

He has established himself as a regular with the Spanish side, often playing in holding midfield. The 27-year-old looks a certain starter against Rangers and his Everton past is already an incentive for Gerrard.

But Funes Mori, more than some ex-Everton players, will attract particular ire from the Rangers boss.

“[Funes Mori] has let himself down with the challenge, but that happens in football.

“But he’s ‘kissing’ the badge on the way off the pitch! He’s only been here two minutes and now he’ll miss the [FA Cup] semi.

“What’s he doing? Everton fans won’t fall for that.”

– Jamie Carragher discussing Funes Mori’s Merseyside dismissal

The Argentine famously thumped the Everton badge after a horrible challenge on Divock Origi during a Merseyside derby in April 2016 saw him red-carded. It was an act that did little to appease furious Everton fans and simply enraged Liverpool fans.

It saw Jamie Carragher slate the Argentine, who later had to apologise for the challenge. It ruled him out of an FA Cup semi-final, which Everton lost to Manchester United.

So getting one over on Funes Mori might give Liverpool legend Gerrard, and his own batch of Anfield ex-pats, an extra reason to be happy with a historic Rangers win.