Reds record positive start to Champions League campaign

Liverpool bounced back from their loss to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Champions League opening night, beating AC Milan 3-1 at San Siro.

The hosts were ahead inside three minutes thanks to Christian Pulisic, who drilled an effort across goal and past Alisson to stun the six-time winners early on.

But Ibrahima Konate dragged his side back into the match, scoring a towering header 23 minutes in to level proceedings once more.

Mohammed Salah then rattled the bar in what was a good opportunity for the visitors but Milan were able to clear their lines.

Virgil van Dijk got a second for Liverpool before the break though, scoring a goal almost identical to Konate’s – a header from a set piece.

Dominik Szoboszlai made it 3-1 late in the second half, tapping home on the volley from Cody Gakpo’s cross across the face of goal.

Victory in Milan ✨ pic.twitter.com/r7abXd1UpB

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 17, 2024

That sealed the deal for Liverpool, who will be in much better spirits heading into the weekend’s match against Bournemouth.

Read on to see how the action unfolded in Italy.

How it happened

Arne Slot opted to keep most of his side the same as the one that lost to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the weekend.

The likes of Mohammed Salah, Diogo Jota and Ryan Gravenberch all retained their places, but there were some new faces in Cody Gakpo and Konstantinos Tsmikas.

Milan were able to bring back the likes of Fikayo Tomori and Davide Calabria to give them some much-needed experience against their European rivals.

And fans barely had a chance to sit down before the Rossoneri had the lead.

The man brought in by Slot at left-back put in a poor header to try and clear a dangerous Milan ball and it was picked up by summer signing Alvaro Morata.

Spain’s captain played in Pulisic, who went for goal himself and rifled past Alisson to give his side the lead and ease the tensions inside the stadium.

Him.#MilanLiverpool #UCL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/1DfQR8mqAz

— AC Milan (@acmilan) September 17, 2024

It was the USA winger’s ninth Champions League goal, the most of anyone from his nation.

Milan’s lead lasted 20 minutes before the Premier League giants found a way back into things.

An inswinging free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold was met well by Konate, who used his height and strength to good advantage, flicking the ball past Mike Maignan in goal.

Less than 90 seconds later Alexis Mac Allister had a huge chance to give Liverpool the lead, sending a one-on-one effort wide of the post after the goalkeeper had dived the wrong way.

Salah looked to capitalise on a poor Maignan clearance and make it 2-1 to the Reds, but his effort on the turn rattled the underside of the bar.

It was 2-1 soon after, thanks to Van Dijk.

Trent 🅰️
Ibou ⚽

Kostas 🅰️
Virgil ⚽ pic.twitter.com/3YMS2oP0hT

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 17, 2024

Similar to Konate, the Dutchman got up and powered a header into the net, this time from the opposite side, meeting Tsimikas’ corner.

After a good start, there was work to be done for Milan in the second half.

There was plenty of drama inside the famous stadium, that’s for sure.

Milan goalkeeper Maignan had to be replaced after a Diogo Jota effort meant he was caught on an already sore leg with his studs.

19-year-old Lorenzo Torriani replaced him, and stood in well for the Frenchman.

At the other end, the hosts wanted a penalty after Morata appeared to be tripped in the box, but the referee was having none of it.

Milan were certainly pushing for an equaliser, but it made Liverpool equally as dangerous on the counter.

Tsmikas went close with a low effort, while Salah was also involved in a few half-chances for the visitors.

Liverpool had their third with twenty minutes to go, all but sealing the three points.

SZOBO!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/KGIc48vvT8

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 17, 2024

Gakpo did well to break away down the left, finding Szoboszlai in the box who had the simplest of touches into an empty net.

It didn’t stop Milan pushing for a way back into the game, but they never really had an answer for the Reds’ clinical finishing on the night.

And Slot got back to winning ways in what is turning out to be an enjoyable start at Liverpool for the Dutchman.