Liverpool enjoyed their return to the Champions League, recording a 3-1 comeback win against AC Milan at the San Siro.
Arne Slot’s team fell behind within three minutes when Christian Pulisic took advantage of a lax defending by Konstantinos Tsimikas to score from a tight angle. It was the worst possible start for Liverpool, but Slot’s side responded encouragingly strongly, with the full-backs assisting the centre-backs on two set-piece goals in the first half. Mohamed Salah also hit the frame of the Milan goal twice, and Cody Gakpo, who was set to play on the left in place of Luis Diaz, showed impressive ball control.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan – who was injured in the first half – only managed a few minutes in the second before being replaced by 19-year-old Lorenzo Torriani. And the youngster could do little to prevent Liverpool’s third goal, as Dominik Szoboszlai finished off good work from the dynamic Gakpo to secure three points for Slot’s side in arguably their toughest away game of the revamped league phase.
Andy Jones and Mark Carey analyze the game.
Was this Cody Gakpo’s best performance for Liverpool?
After Liverpool’s loss to Nottingham Forest at the weekend, rotation dominated discussions, and while Arne Slot made only two changes to his starting eleven against Milan, Cody Gakpo more than took advantage of his opportunity.
The Liverpool boss had stuck to the same attacking formation in his first four competitive matches, but Luis Diaz in particular will be on guard after the Dutchman’s impressive performance at the San Siro.
Under previous manager Jürgen Klopp, Gakpo was rarely used as a left winger, despite it being his preferred position, but his performances for the Netherlands during the European Championships showed the quality he can offer in that position.
(PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images)
After four consecutive appearances as a substitute, Gakpo was able to have a greater impact from the start. He was dynamic, direct and a constant threat on Liverpool’s left flank.
He worked hard without possession, but his ball control and creativity were crucial in giving his team momentum again after a rocky start.
He capped off his evening with a superb assist during a rapid Liverpool attack. Set free by Domink Szoboszlai, he out-jumped Strahinja Pavlovic and completed the one-two by laying the ball on to his teammate.
Andy Jones
Who needs attackers?
Reading the description of Liverpool’s first two goals, you’d think someone messed up the copy and paste.
A cross from the full-back, a powerful header from close range from the centre-back. Two identical goals.
After Liverpool’s strikers failed to score against Nottingham Forest, the back four made it their own task to reverse the early deficit, with full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas providing assists for centre-back duo Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk.
First, Alexander-Arnold delivered a perfect cross from the left touchline for Ibrahima Konate. Free in front of Mike Maignon, he jumped over Fikayo Tomori and headed in in the 23rd minute.
Shortly before half-time, Kostas Tsimikas took a corner from the right to van Dijk. The Liverpool captain escaped the marker Tijjani Reijnders and also rose in front of Maignon to head the ball into the goal.
(Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
A simple set piece, but extremely effective against an unresponsive AC Milan team. It was clearly a zone they had identified and were able to exploit through pinpoint passes and clever movements.
Andy Jones
Cheers to the battle of the 4-2-4
Given the history of Liverpool and Milan’s Champions League clashes, today’s encounter will perhaps be remembered as the ‘Battle of the 4-2-4 Defensive Block’. OK, it may not be the most memorable title, but the way both sides played out of possession was clear from the early stages.
Milan’s tight 4-2-4 block was designed to prevent Liverpool from advancing through the middle of the pitch and force them into the wide areas. This worked at first, but Milan were so strict in their defensive lines that a simple penetrating ball from Liverpool often resulted in midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister gaining good areas between those lines and attacking Milan’s defense in one fell swoop.
Liverpool’s 4-2-4 formation was also prone to errors in the early stages, with Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan frequently passing the ball over the pressing forwards to full-backs Theo Hernandez and Davide Calabria, who had space to attack. This is how the Rossoneri scored their first goal after three minutes, initiated by Maignan’s diagonal pass to the right.
(Piero Cruciatti/AFP via Getty Images)
As the game progressed, Liverpool’s defence became more patient. They stayed compact, blocked passing lanes and struck when they had the opportunity. Slot’s side became more confident, with each of the strikers carefully signalling to their teammates to pass a Milan player as they shuffled around the pitch.
The methods of both sides were similar, but in the end it was Liverpool who had the upper hand.
Mark Carey
What did Arne Slot say?
We will let you know after he speaks at the post-match press conference.
What’s next for Liverpool?
Saturday, September 21st: Bournemouth (H), Premier League, 3pm BST, 10am ET
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(Cover photo: Getty Images)
