MILAN, SEPT 18 – Liverpool stepped up in style to beat AC Milan 3-1 when The Reds started their campaign in the Champions League yesterday.
Arne Slot’s team responded strongly after falling behind in the third minute with a goal by Christian Pulisic and finally chased the three points thanks to goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Liverpool and Milan have been crowned kings of the continent 13 times and have beaten each other in the Champions League final but this time The Reds proved who was on top and could have won by more goals if the goal had not denied Mohamed Salah’s attempts twice in the first half.
“It’s a great day to celebrate your birthday in a stadium like this and then win,” Slot, who is just 46, told Prime Video.
For Liverpool, it was a return to form after a shock home defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend while Milan once again struggled under new coach Paulo Fonseca ahead of the game derby Milan this Sunday.
Milan fans put on a giant ‘fearless’ text display before kick-off and the hosts continued to attack Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk desperately clearing Tijjani Reijnders’ low pass.
And Pulisic quickly put Milan ahead with his low finish, punishing Liverpool’s sloppy defense after Alvaro Morata had flicked a brilliant pass towards goal after Maignan’s start.
Liverpool were quick to respond but were unlucky in the 16th minute when Salah’s right-footed effort hit the crossbar.
Liverpool pressed on forcing Milan to give away the ball easily to equalize when Konate headed home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick.
With the Reds beginning to take control of the game, Milan should have fallen further behind before Van Dijk added to Liverpool’s net, as Diogo Jota wasted a great chance moments after Konate had equalized and Salah hit another shot against the crossbar on the half-hour mark.
Things got worse for the home team in the 51st minute when Maignan, who had already been confirmed injured.
Maignan was replaced by teenager Lorenzo Torriani and the new signing only looked on in the 67th minute as Szoboszlai latched on to Cody Gakpo’s cross after the Dutch striker had headed past Strahinja Pavlovic.
The game ended early as frustrated Milan fans began heading for the exits long before the final whistle with boos and boos of frustration. – AFP
