AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool: What Were The Main Talking Points As The Reds Open Their Champions League Adventure With An Early Statement On Foreign Soil?

In what was a heavyweight European showdown from the San Siro on Tuesday night, Liverpool opened their Champions League adventure with a thumping 3-1 victory away at AC Milan.

While former Chelsea star Christian Pulisic might have handed the Italian heavyweights an early lead after slotting home in the opening three minutes, Arne Slot’s squad completed a rampant comeback on foreign soil.

Although Mohamed Salah might have rattled the crossbar on two separate occasions, it was Ibrahima Konate who levelled things up with a stooping header midway through the first-half.

Looking to make an immediate return to winning ways after suffering a shock 1-0 loss at home against Nottingham Forest over the weekend, the Reds took a deserved lead just before the half-time break as Virgil van Dijk headed home from close range.

Collecting what was a heavyweight scalp in their European opener on Tuesday night, Liverpool wrapped up an empathic victory at the San Siro as Dominik Szoboszlai finished off a sweeping attack.

With all eyes falling on the Italian capital in midweek, we have taken a look at the main talking points.

Liverpool claim an immediate response in Milan

Marking their return from September’s international break with a sensational 1-0 loss at home against Nottingham Forest over the weekend, Liverpool travelled out to Milan seeking an immediate response.

Although Slot’s new squad might have watched their 100% start to the new campaign come to an abrupt end at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, the former Feyenoord boss saw his squad come roaring back here.

Making a first Champions League appearance in 18 months after spending last season competing in the Europa League, Liverpool’s travelling support on Tuesday night were relishing a return to Europe’s elite club competition.

Heading into September’s fortnight interval with a stunning 3-0 romp away at bitter historic rivals Manchester United, the Reds have continued to impress during the early stage of Slot’s tenure in charge.

Collecting a real heavyweight scalp at the San Siro on Tuesday night and marking their Champions League return with a real statement of intent away from Anfield, Liverpool couldn’t have asked for a better opening showdown here.

AC Milan extend on their stuttering start

While AC Milan might have secured a silver medal finish among Italy’s elite last season, the Rossoneri have struggled to find any kind of stability this time around.

Although the Italian icons might have officially appointed new boss Paulo Fonseca over the summer, Tuesday’s hosts have failed to find their feet under the former Lille manager and they will be concerned by another worrying performance here.

Despite marking their return from September’s international break with a routine 4-1 win against Venezia, Milan came crashing back down to earth here and were largely outplayed on home soil.

In fact, continuing on from last season, Fonseca’s side have won just a pair of their previous 13 competitive appearances across all competitions – a rut that stems all the way back to April 6th.

Suffering a real collapse at the San Siro in midweek and desperately seeking some defensive resolve, there could already be some mounting pressure on Fonseca’s shoulders.

Slot’s side continue to shine away from Anfield

Although Liverpool might have watched their 100% start come to an abrupt end last weekend following that infamous 1-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest, the Reds will take plenty of positives away from their extended success away from Anfield.

Heading into September’s International break with that stunning 3-0 victory at Old Trafford, Slot’s side have now won all of their first three showdowns outside the red half of Merseyside by an aggregate score of 8-1, Tuesday’s guests have created a real platform to build on.

Opening the new campaign with a 2-0 win away at Premier League returners Ipswich on August 17th, Liverpool have now suffered just a single defeat away from Anfield since the middle of March.

Next up for Slot’s side, the Reds will return to Anfield and top-flight action this weekend when they welcome Bournemouth to town.

Match Report

AC Milan: Maignan, Calabria, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez, Fofana, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao, Morata

Subs: Royal, Abraham, Torriani, Gabbia, Okafor

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Tsimikas, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Salah, Gakpo, Jota

Subs: Diaz, Nunez, Chiesa, Endo, Gomez

Goals: AC Milan: Pulisic (3’) – Liverpool: Konate (23’), van Dijk (41’), Szoboszlai (67’)

Yellow Cards: AC Milan: Fofana, Calabria – Liverpool: Mac Allister, Konate

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Espen Eskas