Liverpool began their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 victory over AC Milan at San Siro, overcoming an early setback after Christian Pulisic’s stunning third-minute opener. This match between two European giants served as an exciting introduction to the competition’s new expanded league phase.
Despite conceding early, Liverpool quickly responded and dominated Milan. Mohamed Salah twice struck the crossbar, and defenders Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk both scored headers from set pieces, giving Liverpool a 2-1 lead by halftime. Dominik Szoboszlai sealed the win with a 67th-minute goal, solidifying Liverpool’s dominance throughout the match.
Under their new coach, Arne Slot, Liverpool showcased a subtle shift in playing style compared to the era of Jürgen Klopp. While Klopp’s team relied heavily on goals from attackers and midfielders, Slot has focused on maximizing the physical attributes of his tall defenders, utilizing set-piece strategies. Both Konaté and Van Dijk took advantage of Milan’s poor defensive organization to score relatively simple, direct headers, highlighting Slot’s tactical influence.
Milan’s defense, particularly center-halves Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic, struggled to cope with Liverpool’s aerial threat. Their passive approach gave Konaté and Van Dijk relatively easy opportunities to score, suggesting that Liverpool could exploit similar set-piece situations throughout the season.
Christian Pulisic had an explosive start, scoring a stunning goal with a diagonal finish off an assist from Álvaro Morata. However, Milan failed to capitalize on his early form. As Liverpool gained control, Pulisic was forced to track back defensively, limiting his offensive contributions. His lack of chemistry with Morata was evident, with the pair failing to connect effectively throughout the match.
The duel between Milan forward Rafael Leão and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold epitomized the inconsistency of both players. Leão showed flashes of his talent, using his pace and skill to excite the crowd, but failed to deliver any end product. In one instance, he ran 40 yards with the ball only to lose possession instead of finding unmarked teammates. His night nearly ended on a high, but his shot in the 96th minute struck the post.
Alexander-Arnold’s performance was a mix of positives and negatives. While his delivery from set pieces led to Liverpool’s opening goal, his defensive positioning remained an issue. He often strayed into midfield or stayed forward, leaving gaps that a more aware opponent like Leão could have exploited. Despite Konaté’s efforts to guide him back into position, Alexander-Arnold’s lapses continue to highlight his defensive weaknesses.
Overall, Liverpool’s comfortable win at San Siro showcased their evolving tactical approach under Slot and Milan’s inability to capitalize on key moments, particularly after Pulisic’s early strike.
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