Liverpool welcomed AC Milan at Anfield earlier tonight as they looked to kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign with a win in front of their home fans. The Reds made a strong start to the game and got themselves ahead in the ninth minute when Fikayo Tomori scored an unfortunate own goal after the ball deflected into his own net when he tried to block Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross.
The home team got a penalty soon after which Mohamed Salah surprisingly failed to convert as the Italian outfit grew in confidence in the game. Stefano Pioli’s men scored a shock equalizer courtesy of Ante Rebic’s decent finish in the 42nd minute. Just two minutes later, Brahim Diaz completed the turnaround when he found the back of the net from point-blank range as Liverpool went into the half-time break 2-1 down on the scoreline.
The Merseyside outfit made a quick start to the second half and found the leveler via Mohamed Salah’s cheeky finish in the 48th minute. Jordan Henderson went on to score the goal of the game with an excellent strike from outside the box to give Liverpool a 3-2 lead in the 69th minute. The match ended with Jurgen Klopp’s players securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory at home.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the clash against AC Milan.
GK: Alisson Becker – 6/10
The Brazilian keeper made a couple of solid saves but couldn’t do much about either of Milan’s goals tonight.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6.5/10
The English right-back played a huge role in the lead-up to Tomori’s own goal early in the game. He passed the ball quite well but looked a bit rattled defensively in the latter stages of the first half. He recovered well and put in a matured display in the second.
CB: Joel Matip – 7/10
Matip commanded his penalty area with conviction and read the danger quite well. He was also quite adventurous with the ball but will be disappointed after conceding two goals during the game.
CB: Joe Gomez – 6/10
It was a welcome return to action for Gomez. He found life difficult at times but deserves credit for winning a few important aerial duels for Liverpool.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 7.5/10
Robertson was always willing to get forward and managed to whip in some inviting crosses into the Milan penalty box. He earned a penalty for the Reds in the first half and was not shy of having a shot at goal. Defensively, the Scottish talent was solid as well.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 8.5/10
The Liverpool captain led by example and was full of energy in midfield. He led the press well and scored a peach of a goal with a great strike in the second half to win the game for his team.
CM: Fabinho – 8/10
The Brazilian midfield ace didn’t give the Milan attackers a moment’s rest and protected his backline quite well throughout the game.
CM: Naby Keita – 7/10
Keita interchanged possession with accuracy in the opposition half but struggled to create any meaningful chances in the final third.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 7.5/10
The Egyptian winger missed his penalty but didn’t let his head drop and came back in the second half to score Liverpool’s all-important equalizer. He was a constant menace down the right-wing and was a great outlet for the Reds in the final third.
ST: Diogo Jota – 7/10
Jota was always looking to create openings for his teammates and even had a few strikes at goal himself. However, there was no goal for him tonight.
LW: Divock Origi – 7.5/10
The Belgian attacker ran the channels well and managed to set up Salah’s goal with a brilliant, chipped pass. Klopp will be happy with his performance during the game.
Substitutes:
LW: Sadio Mane – 6/10
Mane was always looking to get on the ball and make things happen. However, he didn’t have his shooting boots on.
CM: Thiago Alcantara – 6.5/10
The Spaniard controlled the game well from midfield.
CM: Curtis Jones – 6/10
Jones was often trying to drop his shoulders and run with the ball.
CM: James Milner – N/A
He used his experience well to see out the three points.
ST: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – N/A
The English playmaker didn’t get enough minutes to warrant a rating.
