Liverpool returned to the Champions League after a year without playing. The Merseyside club failed to qualify last year, but they qualified for the Europa League instead. This season, they began their UCL campaign with a tricky test against AC Milan at the San Siro.
Prior to the game, the Reds had flourished in the league under Arne Slot, winning their first three games. However, in their last game, they were stunned one nil by Nottingham Forest. This prompted Slot to challenge the team to unleash a better display against Milan.
Liverpool started very slowly in the first two minutes, but in the aftermath, the Reds turned the game around, dominating every angle of the pitch.
AC Milan vs Liverpool: First Half
AC Milan got the first blood, with a very early goal from Pulisic. The Former Chelsea winger drifted from the right winger, outpacing Tsimiskas, who was caught off guard. Eventually, the American fired a one-time shot toward the top corner, beating Alisson. The goal was the first shot of the game. Immediately, the Reds came out against their old rivals. They launched fierce attacks from both wings of the pitch; however, Milan could deal with them for the duration of the attack.
Salah had a beautiful cutback to his right foot before firing a thumping shot. The Egyptian was, however, lucky to hit the bar instead of the goal. Salah also saw another after Maignan deflected a Gakpo shot, and the result was another thumping shot from Salah that hit the bar again. Liverpool eventually found the equalizer from Konate’s header. A beautiful free-kick delivery from Arnold saw the Frenchman winning the aerial duels around to find the net.
It didn’t stop there as the Reds saw another after a corner from Tsimiskas met a poorly marked Van Dijk’s header to give Liverpool the lead.
AC Milan vs Liverpool: Second Half
Liverpool continued to control the game in the second half, while AC Milan struggled to find the rhythm. After the goal, the Milan side failed to find another shot on target, with Liverpool creating a very strong pressing shape. Rafael Leao also struggled on his wing, as Liverpool doubled the players on him. The Reds nearly made it to the third with an opportunity for Jota, but the Portuguese ultimately failed to beat Maignan.
Liverpool soon found the third. Gakpo’s drift down the left disoriented Milan’s defense, allowing the Dutchman the space to square a pass into the area. Jota, who was marked, couldn’t get across; however, Dominik Szoboszlai was free to tap it into the net. Liverpool marked their return to the Champions League with a great win.
Man of the Match Performance
Liverpool had many players who had great games, including Van Dijk, Konate, and Trent, who were both defensively solid and a big treat going forward. However, two players were exceptional for the Reds. Gravenberch and Gakpo.
Gravenberch ran the show for the Reds, winning most midfield duels and creating many options from the middle. The Dutchman had crucial interceptions, and his defensive work was also unparalleled. Also in the Liverpool attack, Gakpo was exceptional, troubling the AC Milan defense. He eventually got an assist for his efforts.
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