Liverpool celebrated their return to the UEFA Champions League after a one-season absence with a 3-1 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, on Tuesday, overcoming a shaky start with goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Reds faced an early setback in the third minute when Christian Pulisic fired the Rossoneri ahead following a swift counterattack, exploiting Liverpool’s disorganized defense.
Undeterred by the early goal, Liverpool quickly regrouped and asserted their dominance on the match. Both center-backs, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, found the back of the net before halftime, turning the tide in favor of the visitors.
“A great way to spend my birthday,” said Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who turned 46 on Tuesday and was serenaded after the game by the Liverpool supporters in attendance. “You wouldn’t have said this after five minutes, but after, we did well.”
Konate equalized in the 23rd minute, leaping above a crowd of defenders to head in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free kick. His first goal in two-and-a-half years came after Davide Calabria’s tackle on Cody Gakpo led to the set-piece.
Captain Van Dijk put the Reds ahead just before halftime, nodding home a corner from Kostas Tsimikas, much to the delight of some 4,400 traveling fans.
“Shaky start with the goal that we conceded,” van Dijk told Amazon Prime. “But after that, the way we stayed calm, kept playing, kept looking for the solution, I think that was very good to see.”
Dominik Szoboszlai sealed the victory in the 67th minute, slotting the ball into the far corner off Gakpo’s cross after Milan surrendered possession, allowing Liverpool to break quickly.
Tuesday’s other results (home teams listed first):
- Juventus 3-1 PSV Eindhoven
- Young Boys 0-3 Aston Villa
- Bayern Munich 9-2 Dynamo Kyiv
- Sporting CP 2-0 Lille
- Real Madrid 3-1 Stuttgart
Reference(s):
Liverpool kick off UEFA Champions League with 3-1 win over AC Milan
cgtn.com
