Goals from centre-backs Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk overturned Christian Pulisic’s third-minute opener for the hosts and Dominik Szoboszlai’s first club goal since March secured the result midway through the second half. The unfortunate Mohamed Salah hit the crossbar twice in the opening 45 minutes but it was one of the players Slot brought in – fellow Dutchman Cody Gakpo – who caught the eye. Trent 🅰️Ibou ⚽ Kostas 🅰️Virgil ⚽ pic.
twitter.com/3YMS2oP0hT — Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 17, 2024 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. Defender Strahinja Pavlovic was culpable for the second goal as he lost touch with Van Dijk, who casually nodded in Tsimikas’ corner from the right flank. It was no more than Liverpool deserved after a shaky start and it was fitting Gakpo got the assist for their third.
Before kick-off repres.