Slot delighted by birthday treat after Liverpool´s Champions League recovery

Arne Slot hailed Liverpool’s recovery powers as the Reds marked their manager’s birthday with a battling Champions League victory over AC Milan.

Liverpool’s return to the competition after a one-year absence got off to a terrible start as Christian Pulisic fired home just three minutes into Tuesday’s clash at San Siro.

Ibrahima Konate swiftly restored parity with a header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick before Virgil van Dijk marked his 50th appearance in the Champions League with a first-half finish.

Dominik Szoboszlai made sure of the opening-game win after the break as Milan capitulated to a 3-1 defeat in front of their disappointed home supporters.

Victory ensured Slot celebrated his 46th birthday in style, overseeing three points in his first European game in charge of his new club.

“A great way to spend my birthday,” the Dutchman said on Amazon Prime.

“We have more than 11 players and the ones that came in did well. You wouldn’t have said this after five minutes, but after we did well.”

Liverpool were rocked by an early-season Premier League blow on Saturday, falling down 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at Anfield in a shock result.

Former Feyenoord boss Slot was delighted with the reaction as Liverpool made it five wins in their last six away games in Italy in the Champions League.

“Losing Saturday was a blow and to be 1-0 down early here, you are wondering how we react,” Slot added.

“But if you can play so good it is – I won’t say a disgrace – unbelievable you lose to Forest at home if you can play like this [at Milan].”

A win on Arne’s birthday pic.twitter.com/3fPZZkkjlv

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 17, 2024

Van Dijk became just the third Dutch player to score on his 50th appearance in the competition, after Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Makaay (both in 2005).

The Liverpool captain lauded his side’s ability to bounce back in what was billed as a battle between two European heavyweights, having shared memorable Champions League finals in 2005 and 2007.

“Obviously I am very pleased with the win and I am pleased with the way we bounced back after a difficult start,” Van Dijk told Sky Italy.

“When there is a set-piece we try to be important. The delivery was outstanding in my opinion. I am very pleased that we won and we limited them to only two big chances.

“We have been very successful over the years and I am always grateful for that. Things have moved on, the new manager is here and he has principles that are different.

“We are working on things and there are still things to improve.”