Liverpool started their Champions League campaign with a sweet victory over fellow European royalty AC Milan at San Siro. Arne Slot included Federico Chiesa in the traveling squad, and Chiesa made his debut for The Reds in the final minutes of the game.
AC Milan started it fast by taking the lead when the match was just hitting three minutes on the clock since the game started. It was Christian Pulisic who made the home crowd erupt with his low drive into Alisson Becker’s net. The Reds responded fast as Ibrahima Konate put the traveling side leveled.
Virgil van Dijk put Liverpool ahead 18 minutes after Konate found the back of the net. In the second half, there was one additional goal when Dominik Szoboszlai slotted the cross from Cody Gakpo to extend the gap and bring the three points home to Anfield.
AC Milan Player Ratings vs Liverpool
Goalkeeper
Mike Maignan – 7.6
He denied multiple chances from Liverpool, despite conceding some goals in the process. Unfortunately, he had to leave the pitch early due to an injury
Defenders
Davide Calabria – 6.6
Helped Milan to put pressure from the other flank-side, and fought hard against Liverpool’s playing style for most of the time of the game.
Fikayo Tomori – 6.7
Led his teammates to always have their minds on the pitch, and never let them switch off despite conceding two goals at half-time.
Strahinja Pavlović – 6.5
It was not a bad performance from Pavlovic with interceptions and clearances he had during the game, preventing Liverpool from adding goals despite failing to do so.
Theo Hernandez – 6.8
Constantly put pressure on Liverpool from down the flank but it was difficult for him to get into the opponents’ box multiple times.
Midfielders
Youssouf Fofana – 6.6
Struggled to deal with Liverpool’s playing style in the midfield. He was booked due to his challenge to the opponents.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6.7
Put the balance in the midfield with Fofana and Reijnders on both sides. He delivered the ball to everyone around him, making sure that the ball to always in their favor.
Tijjani Reijnders – 6.8
He fought hard playing some of his compatriots such as Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, to Virgil van Dijk. His presence on the pitch gave Liverpool a hard time.
Forwards
Christian Pulisic – 7.4
Put Milan ahead when the game hit just three minutes after kicking off. Pulisic actively moved to create opportunities and spaces for Milan.
Rafael Leao – 6.8
The Portuguese tried hard to tear the defence apart from the flank but it was difficult for him as Liverpool played a solid defensive game.
Alvaro Morata – 7.1
Put Liverpool under pressure with his actions inside the box.
Substitutions
Lorenzo Toriano – 6.9
Stepped in to replace the injured Mike Maignan at the beginning of the second half.
Emerson Royal – 6.6
Came in to give a fresh pair of legs when replacing Davide Calabria in the middle of the second half.
Tammy Abraham – 6.6
Came in when Milan needed a goal badly after being trailed by two goals from the visitors.
Matteo Gabbia – 6.5
It was not an easy game for Gabbia as he struggled to keep up with Liverpool’s pressure in the final minutes of the match.
Noah Okafor – 6.5
Worked hand in hand with Tammy Abraham to break into the opponent’s box in search of a goal.
Manager: Paulo Fonseca – 6.5
He was outplayed by the opponents tonight as Liverpool managed to dominate the game with ball possession and man-marking.
Liverpool Player Ratings vs AC Milan
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker – 6.6
It was not his best day as Alisson conceded two goals from the last two matches across the competition.
Defenders
Kostas Tsimikas – 7
Tried his best to impress both the fans and Arne Slot with his game down the left flank. He puts the ice on the cake when assisting Van Dijk’s goal to put Liverpool in front.
Virgil van Dijk – 7.2
Not only defending, his partnership with Konate was also bringing Liverpool in front for the first time in the match since conceding to Christian Pulisic’s early goal.
Ibrahima Konate – 7.2
Put Liverpool leveled after conceding early at the beginning of the match. Konate showed a solid defence alongside the team’s captain Virgil van Dijk.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7
The England international delivered numerous accurate passes to his teammates during the match which opened spaces and created chances for Liverpool, including one assist for Konate.
Midfielders
Alexid MacAllister – 6.9
Got involved in numerous duels over the ball in the midfield, the Argentinian was the first to go when Liverpool started the attacking scheme.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6.8
He gradually showed his comfort playing the number six role under Arne Slott and it shows in today’s match at San Siro from the passes he delivered.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7.6
Dubbed the main machine of Liverpool’s midfielder, Szoboszlai ran across the pitch to open spaces and deliver passes for his teammates. He also scored a goal for himself.
Forwards
Gody Gakpo – 8
Played on the left side of Liverpool’s attacking force, Gakpo terrorized the home side’s defence with his pace and agility.
Mohamed Salah – 6.9
The Egyptian was still Liverpool’s best attacker, but his pace was initially found a thick wall in search of a goal, particularly during the first half.
Diogo Jota – 6-7
Acted as Liverpool’s main forward but the Portuguese failed to find the back of the net when backed by Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo on both sides.
Substitutions
Luis Diaz – 6.9
The Colombian came into the game to put more pace in Liverpool’s attacking game against the home team.
Darwin Nunez – 6.8
Came in to replace Diogo Jota who found deadlocks in the back of the net. The Uruguayan managed to have several dribble attempts despite having a limited shooting space.
Joe Gomez – 6.6
Had to do what he had to do when replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold in the second half, keeping the right flank area.
Wataru Endo – N/A
To be fair the time he had on the pitch was limited as he only came on with the match was three minutes away from ending.
Federico Chiesa – N/A
The Italian had his Liverpool debut on his home soil, three minutes before the final whistle. Not much he can do for the team.
Manager: Arnse Slot -7
What a way to celebrate his 46th birthday. The Dutchman restored the confidence of his players following a disastrous Premier League campaign last week when losing at home to Nottingham Forest.
FAQs
Q. What was the result of the AC Milan vs Liverpool?
A. Liverpool beat AC Milan with three goals to nil at San Siro.
Q. When was the AC Milan vs Liverpool clash?
A. AC Milan hosted Liverpool on Tuesday night, September 17
Q. Who was the man of the match of the AC Milan vs Liverpool?
A. Gody Gakpo was the brightest player in the clash as he showed a dominant performance and provided one assist.
Q. Who was the worst performer in AC Milan vs Liverpool?
A. Milan full-back, Theo Hernandez was the worst performer in the game.