Arne Slot has returned Liverpool to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League against AC Milan after a shock home defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
in what could be seen as a perfect comeback for the Reds after the shocker at Anfield against the Tricky Trees, the Premier League giants put AC Milan to the sword with a superb performance from the beginning to the end.
Notably, two of the Reds’ defenders registered their names on the score sheet before attacking midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai found the back of the net.
AC Milan got off the mark with a shock lead
It was a brilliant start for the Rossoneri. Just three minutes into the game, they were in front with a superb goal. Liverpool were split wide open when Pulisic burst into open space down the right. He got options to his left but wasn’t closed down quickly enough.
The former Chelsea attacker was left to drill a shot across the face of the goal, beyond Alisson, and into the bottom corner. It was a brilliant effort by the home side but one which saw Liverpool begin to build their presence more in the game.
Liverpool squandered a big chance in the 17th minute
Fourteen minutes after Christian Pulisic’s goal, Liverpool had a big chance to level the score and change the trajectory of the game. A great team effort saw Diogo Jota put Mohamed Salah through into the box. Salah then weathered off the challenge by AC Milan defender and fired a right-footed shot on goal. It was a narrow miss as the ball cannoned off the crossbar and bounced back.
Liverpool attacker Tsimikas had the rebound falling on a platter for him but he fired it off the crossbar, squandering the golden chance.
Liverpool level things up with a stunning free-kick!
A few minutes after Tsimikas’ big miss, Liverpool finally claw their charges into the game after a commanding spell of possession, thanks to a free-kick by Alexander-Arnold.
The England defender did not have it perfect with the free-kick. AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan had a chance to clear it, including Fikayo Tomori, but left French defender Ibrahim Konate to rise and nod it home to level things up.
Liverpool had the game perfectly in control after Ibrahim Konate’s equalizer. The visitors were just too good for the home side. From the possession, attempts, and actions in the opponents’ half, they held sway over everything.
It was not long before they ascended into the lead, coming from behind. Captain Virgil van Dijk rose to the occasion five minutes before the first half to make it count.
Virgil van Dijk’s scores second goal for Liverpool
The Dutch defender proved too good for a rickety AC Milan defense when he rose to nod home Tsimikas’s corner with a brilliant header. Again, AC Milan goalkeeper Maignan did very little to stop the Dutch even though he was close to the inswinging corner-kick by Tsimikas.
The French goalkeeper remained static and left Virgil van Dijk tower high above others to nod home the goal. It was a deserved lead for the Premier League contingents, who where by far the better side throughout the game.
And that wasn’t the end of the drama. Seven minutes after the hour mark, AC Milan were punished once again with another masterclass by the Arne Slot-led side. A brilliant combination play by Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo saw the two players water down AC Milan backline.
Gakpo was left unmarked as he raced down the left after receiving the ball from Szoboszlai. He then clipped a cross back to the teammate who volleyed it home easily to extend the lead.
AC Milan have now lost all their five matches to Liverpool in all competitions
The goal sealed the victory for Liverpool and it was the fifth consecutive win over AC Milan by Liverpool in all competitions. Moreover, the victory was a morale-booster to the Reds after the shock home defeat they suffered in the hands of Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in their last match.
Liverpool next UEFA Champions League match
Liverpool will play another Serie A club in their next Champions League fixture. They will take on Bologna in Italy on October 2, 2024. Arne Slot will be hoping to build on the victory over AC Milan and secure a second consecutive Champions League win.
