Liverpool celebrated their return to the Champions League after a year’s absence with a 3-1 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday, overcoming a shaky start with goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Liverpool got off to a terrible start in the clash between the two European heavyweights when Christian Pulisic put Milan ahead in the third minute with a quick counterattack, aided by Liverpool’s disorganised defence.

However, the six-time champions turned things around and dominated for much of the rest of the game. Konate equalised in the 23rd minute when he leapt high over a crowd of defenders to head in a Trent Alexander-Arnold free kick.

Captain Van Dijk put Liverpool ahead to the delight of the 4,400 travelling fans when he headed in a Kostas Tsimikas corner just before half-time. Szoboszlai sealed the victory in the 67th minute when he fired in a Cody Gakpo cross into the far corner after Milan lost possession.

For manager Arne Slot, the evening was the first Champions League game at the helm of the Merseyside club since replacing Jürgen Klopp and it was a terrific response from his team following their surprise 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.