Liverpool enjoyed their return to Champions League action — recording a 3-1 comeback win against AC Milan at San Siro.
Arne Slot’s team went behind inside three minutes as Christian Pulisic took advantage of some lax defending from Konstantinos Tsimikas to fire home from a tight-ish angle. It was the worst possible start for Liverpool but Slot got a pleasingly strong reaction from his side, with the full-backs assisting the centre-halves for a pair of set-piece goals in the first half. Mohamed Salah also thumped the frame of the Milan goal twice, and there was some impressively strong ball carrying from Cody Gakpo, chosen to play on the left in place of Luis Diaz.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan — injured in the first half — only made it through a few minutes of the second period before being replaced by 19-year-old Lorenzo Torriani. And the youngster could do little to stop Liverpool’s third, as Dominik Szoboszlai finished off fine work from the dynamic Gakpo to give Slot’s side three points in arguably their hardest away game of the new-look league stage.
Andy Jones and Mark Carey analyse the game.
Was this Cody Gakpo’s best display for Liverpool?
Rotation dominated discussions following Liverpool’s defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend and while Arne Slot made only two changes to his starting XI against Milan, Cody Gakpo more than took his opportunity.
The Liverpool head coach had stuck with the same front three in his first four competitive matches in charge but Luis Diaz, in particular, will be looking over his shoulder after the Dutchman’s impressive display at San Siro.
Gakpo was rarely used as a left winger under previous manager Jurgen Klopp, despite it being his favoured position, but his performances for the Netherlands during the European Championship offered a reminder of the quality he can provide from that position.
After four consecutive substitute appearances, Gakpo was able to have a bigger impact from the start. He was dynamic, direct and a constant threat on Liverpool’s left.
He worked hard out of possession, but it was his ball carrying and creativity that was crucial in wrestling momentum back for his team after a shaky start.
He capped his evening off with an excellent assist during a swift Liverpool attack. Released by Domink Szoboszlai, he skipped past Strahinja Pavlovic and completed the one-two by putting a ball on a plate for his teammate.
Andy Jones
Who needs attackers?
If you read a description of Liverpool’s first two goals, you would be forgiven for thinking someone had botched a copy and paste job.
A floated cross from a full-back, a powerful close-range header from a centre-back. Two identical goals.
After watching their forwards fire a blank against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool’s back four took it upon themselves to turnaround the early deficit with fullbacks Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas providing assists for central defensive duo Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk.
First, Alexander-Arnold delivered the perfect cross from the left byline for Ibrahima Konate to attack. Unmarked, he leapt over Fikayo Tomori and infront of Mike Maignon to head home on 23 minutes.
Then, just before half time, Kostas Tsimikas’ corner from the right was met by van Dijk. The Liverpool captain escaped marker Tijjani Reijnders and also rose in front of Maignon to nod home.
The simplest of set pieces, but extremely effective against an unreactive AC Milan set-up. Evidently it was an area they had identified and they were able to exploit via pinpoint deliveries and clever movement.
Andy Jones
All hail the battle of the 4-2-4s
For all of the history surrounding Liverpool’s clashes with Milan in the Champions League, tonight’s encounter may be remembered as the “battle of the 4-2-4 defensive block”. Ok, it might not be the catchiest of titles, but the out-of-possession approach from both sides was clear from the early stages.
Milan’s tight 4-2-4 block was designed to prevent Liverpool from progressing through the centre of the pitch, forcing them into wide areas. This worked initially but Milan were so regimented in their defensive lines that one simple penetrating ball from Liverpool meant that midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister were often picking up good areas between those those lines and attacking Milan’s defence in one fell swoop.
Liverpool’s 4-2-4 block was also fallible in the early stages, as Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan frequently clipped the ball over their pressing forwards and into full-backs Theo Hernandez and Davide Calabria who were in space to attack. Incidentally, this is how the Rossoneri scored their opening goal after three minutes, kickstarted by Maignan’s floated diagonal to the right flank.
As the game wore on, Liverpool’s defensive approach grew more patient. They stayed compact, blocked passing lanes, and pounced when the opportunity arose. Slot’s side grew in confidence each of the forward line carefully pointed to their teammates to pass a Milan player on as they shuffled across the pitch.
The methods were similar from both sides, but ultimately it was Liverpool who came out on top.
Mark Carey
What did Arne Slot say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for Liverpool?
Saturday, September 21: Bournemouth (H), Premier League, 3pm BST, 10am ET
Recommended reading
-
- Richard Hughes, the Liverpool sporting director who was made in Milan
- ‘Unacceptable’: What went so wrong for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest?
- Federico Chiesa’s journey to Anfield: Big moments, big bang theory and emulating his father
- Alisson’s one-on-ones, Ederson’s passing, Raya’s catching – building the perfect goalkeeper
(Header photo: Getty Images)
