Liverpool bounced back from their weekend Premier League defeat to secure a 3-1 victory over AC Milan in their Champions League opener on Tuesday, marking Arne Slot’s first European win as the Reds’ manager.
Despite conceding an early goal to Christian Pulisic, Liverpool rallied with strikes from defenders Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk in the first half, before Dominik Szoboszlai sealed the win after the break.
The match began with Milan taking a surprise lead in the third minute. Pulisic, exploiting defensive lapses on Liverpool’s left flank, drove unchallenged towards goal and slotted a low shot past Alisson Becker.
Liverpool’s response was swift and forceful. Mohamed Salah struck the crossbar twice before Konate equalized in the 23rd minute, heading home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s precise cross.
Van Dijk put Liverpool ahead before halftime with another close-range header, capitalizing on the visitors’ set-piece prowess.
The second half saw Liverpool extend their lead through Szoboszlai, who finished off a brilliant run by Cody Gakpo. The Dutch forward weaved past Strahinja Pavlovic before setting up his teammate for an easy tap-in.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised his team’s resilience: “After the weekend’s setback, this performance shows the character of our squad. It’s an excellent start to our European campaign.”
Milan coach Stefano Pioli acknowledged his team’s defensive frailties: “We started well, but Liverpool’s quality, especially from set-pieces, proved too much for us tonight.”
The result puts Liverpool in a strong position in their Champions League group, while Milan will look to bounce back in their next European fixture.
Key Statistics:
– Possession: AC Milan 42%, Liverpool 58%
– Shots on target: AC Milan 3, Liverpool 7
– Corner kicks: AC Milan 4, Liverpool 9
Liverpool’s next Champions League match is at home against Kylian Mbappe’s Paris Saint-Germain, while Milan travel to face Borussia Dortmund.
Man of the Match: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
