Liverpool fell behind early on against AC Milan but Arne Slot’s side responded brilliantly as they ran out deserving 3-1 winners at the San Siro. Goals from Liverpool defenders Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk overturned Christian Pulisic’s third-minute opener for the Serie A giants and Dominik Szoboszlai’s first club goal since March secured the result in the the second half. Mohamed Salah was unfortunate as he hit the crossbar twice before the break, but one of the players Arne Slot brought in – fellow Dutchman Cody Gakpo – who caught the eye.
After suggestions a virtually unchanged side this season looked jaded in the shock defeat to Nottingham Forest, Slot made just two alterations – but while Gakpo fully justified his inclusion ahead of Luis Diaz, Kostas Tsimikas still has some way to go to challenge left-back Andy Robertson for his regular place. And while much has been made of how Slot wants to pass opponents into submission with a more patient approach, Liverpool’s biggest weapon in San Siro was set-pieces. In Van Dijk and Konate they have two defenders who are good in the air and the latter powered home a header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inswinging free-kick midway through the first half.
READ: Aston Villa ‘protagonists’ worthy after Emery proclamation as Rogers and co. inspire perfect CL debut Defender Strahinja Pavlovic was culpable for the second goal as he lost touch with Van Dijk, who casually nodded in Tsimikas’ corner from the righ.