Liverpool made a strong return to the Champions League, securing a confident 4-1 win against AC Milan, effectively bouncing back from their unexpected defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The match started poorly for the Reds, as AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic struck first with a powerful shot just three minutes into the game, putting the hosts ahead. However, Jürgen Klopp’s side quickly regrouped and dominated the match, responding with determination.
After Mohamed Salah rattled the crossbar, defender Ibrahima Konate equalized in the 23rd minute with a well-placed header from a Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick. Liverpool continued to apply pressure, with Salah striking the bar again before Virgil van Dijk completed the turnaround just before halftime, heading in from a Konstantinos Tsimikas corner.
Cody Gakpo sealed the victory in the 67th minute, setting up Dominik Szoboszlai for a simple tap-in after an impressive run. Additionally, summer signing Federico Chiesa received a brief debut, coming on for Salah in the 93rd minute.
A Promising Start for Slot
This match marked Liverpool’s return to the Champions League after spending the previous season in the Europa League. Despite a rocky start that left some fans anxious, the team quickly bounced back to display their famed high-pressing style, catching AC Milan off guard and overcoming their earlier setback.
Salah was particularly lively, hitting the bar twice, while AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan made some key saves, denying Gakpo on several occasions. The center-backs played a crucial role in punishing Milan for their defensive errors, capitalizing on set-pieces.
After halftime, Maignan was forced off due to injury sustained during a challenge with Diogo Jota, allowing Liverpool to dominate even further and secure their deserved third goal from Szoboszlai.
Late in the match, Liverpool’s keeper Alisson Becker was called into action, skillfully tipping a strike from Rafael Leão onto the post to maintain their lead.
Looking Ahead
Liverpool faces tough challenges ahead in this year’s Champions League, with notable matches against Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen scheduled for October. A strong start will be a relief for manager Jürgen Klopp.
In a show of solidarity, Liverpool’s players wore black armbands to honor traveling supporter Philip Dooley, who tragically lost his life after being struck by a vehicle in Italy. Representatives from both teams paid tribute by placing flowers on what would have been Dooley’s seat at the stadium.
This victory marks Liverpool’s first European win without Klopp as manager since Brendan Rodgers’ side edged past Besiktas 1-0 in February 2015, during a Europa League match.
Credit: BBC Sports
