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Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter Image source, Getty Images Liverpool have pretensions of keeping up with Manchester City but slip ups like the weekend's against Nottingham Forest can’t happen again. At the beginning of the past few seasons when asked about who I thought would win the Premier League, the answer has always been Manchester City and that was before Erling Haaland was added to the mix. It is pointless going on yet again about the Norwegian superhero as I have run out of superlatives for his scoring style. He was at it again against Brentford and could easily have scored five or six instead of two, due to the woodwork and some fine goalkeeping. This is what Liverpool seem to lack right now. Well, they do when Mohamed Salah doesn’t score. The Reds are a fine side and Arne Slot should be given plenty of time, but are they really a threat to City in the league this season? Currently I doubt it. Sign up to read more from Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter here
With the Champions League having got under way this week - you can watch highlights of every game on the BBC. From 22:00 BST on the Wednesday of Champions League matchweeks, there will be game-by-game highlights available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app - plus a highlights show on BBC One at 22:40. Catch up now on BBC iPlayer
Mike Hughes BBC Radio Merseyside reporter Image source, Getty Images If defeat by Nottingham Forest was a sharp reminder of what is always likely to happen when performance standards drop below expected levels, then Liverpool's Champions League win at AC Milan was also further evidence of just how good this squad is. While clearly not the footballing force of old, Milan did finish second in Serie A last season and boast a squad rich in talent. Yet, despite taking an early lead, they were forced into submission long before the referee's final whistle. Liverpool exerted control and authority in all the key areas of the pitch. Their attacking movement and front play in general was a constant menace. Three goals at one of the old cathedrals of European football was actually scant reward for just how dominant Arne Slot's team were. But as much as he will be satisfied with Tuesday's work, Slot will still be trying to get to grips with what happened at Anfield on Saturday and, more pertinently, the reason why. These are very early days of a new era. Different managers have different qualities and different footballing styles. When teams have been used to playing a certain way for the best part of a decade under one coach, clearly it will take time to get used to the contrasting tactics and requirements of another. Four wins from five matches is a more than decent start, but even though football perfection cannot be reached, the search for it will continue anyway. Bournemouth at Anfield, on paper at least, is an eminently winnable game for Liverpool - but it also poses inherent dangers. Andoni Iraola is one of the brightest young managers in the Premier League and he has turned the Cherries into a team capable of causing problems for the division's big hitters. They press aggressively and can break with pace. After the misstep against Forest, Slot's pre-match message to his players on Saturday will be about ensuring they do not again fall below the standard expected of them. Listen toTotal Sport Merseysidefrom 18:00 on weeknights andfind details here of live Liverpool match commentarieson BBC Radio Merseyside Explore Liverpool content on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty Images Trent Alexander-Arnold has said Tuesday's victory at AC Milan was "an unbelievable result" at a "special venue". Speaking to CBS Sports after the game, he said: "This club belongs in the Champions League with the history that it's had and last year [was] disappointing not being a part of it. "But we're back were we belong and [there is] no better way to get this campaign started than getting a win at the San Siro - a special venue, a special stadium and an unbelievable result." Alexander-Arnold also gave an insight into Arne Slot's style, saying: "It changes fluidly throughout games depending on how the opponents press us. "There is a lot of tactical changes within games - where to go, where not to go, when to stay wide, when to drop into the backline, when to go into midfield, when to be kind of like a number eight or when Mo [Salah] rolls inside and I'm a high winger. “There’s all different variations and he gives us that information throughout the week, throughout the game, leading up to the game. "He paints scenarios so we have answers for everything, so it’s kind of like: ‘OK, if they press this way then this is where we’re going to be positioned and if they press a different way then we’ll position ourselves a different way.' "There’s a solution to every problem that they pose ."
Image source, Getty Images Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, speaking about the goals scored from set-pieces by himself and fellow centre-back Ibrahima Konate at AC Milan on Tuesday: "We try in every game to be important at set-pieces. In the last game against Forest, I had two chances. The thing is, it looks easier than what it is. "Me and Ibou are both 6ft 4ins or whatever and we should score from every ball that comes into the box, but sometimes you get double-marked and the delivery is not always perfect and you have to fight for it. "But we were there and you see how important it can be. Ibou's goal was big and my goal before the break was a big help and kept us going for the second half." On Cody Gakpo's impressive display: "Last year he played very good games as well - I don't think you should forget that. "The last couple of weeks, apart from going to the national team, I've seen what he can produce and we all know what he can produce, but when you play one game a week and players - in this case Luis Diaz - did very well then you have to be patient. "We need everyone to be at their best and you saw he could make a difference with crosses and an assist as well. We need everyone and this was a good example of that."
Image source, PA Media Former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast about Ryan Gravenberch's impressive start to the season at the base of the Reds' midfield: "I was in Philadelphia with the team [in pre-season]. I spoke to Gravenberch there on the training ground and I told him this was going to be his year. Arne Slot brings the full potential out of the players - and especially the younger players. "This is the Gravenberch from Ajax - this is how he plays. He went to Bayern Munich and they didn't use him, or didn't feel he was that good- but we know how good he is. "Arne uses the number six in the build-up and it suits him [Gravenberch] perfectly. "He's still young and he can't play as man of the match every week, but Tuesday was a great display of his potential." Listen to more Champions League reaction on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast via BBC Sounds
Image source, PA Media Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock explained to BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast about the tactical changes that swung the Reds' Champions League opener at AC Milan in their favour: "It's something that's been highlighted from Arne Slot's time at Feyenoord - his understanding and tactical ability to change games. He did it within the first 15 minutes - it's impressive that he was able to do that. "The result itself hinged on those tactical changes because of the dominance of AC Milan in the first 15 minutes. They were cutting through Liverpool at will and finding things very easy, but once that change was made, Liverpool dominated." Listen to more reaction on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty Images We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Champions League game between AC Milan and Liverpool. Here are some of your comments: Marilyn: Bit of an early wobble, but then we played some very entertaining football. Our Reds looked strong, energetic and like they were enjoying their game. Well done lads! Geoff: An encouraging performance after a shock start - we didn’t panic, played controlled football and bossed the game in an intimidating atmosphere. The two headed goals gave us the lift we needed after going behind, both cleverly taken by our main defenders. Let’s not get overexcited though - Milan aren’t currently the team they once were. Ruairi: Great response to going down 1-0 within five minutes. Played especially well in the first half! AC Milan were poor but Liverpool dominated. Kostas Tsimikas and Cody Gakpo have Slot nice headaches for future selection. Happy fan! Arron: Was a really good performance tonight. Defensively we look better tenfold than we have for years. Ryan Gravenberch has been an absolute sensation so far, and supports the defence. We were naive against Nottingham Forest, thinking they wouldn't pose a threat and just waiting to score. Glad we got that out our system early on. Daniel: That’s more like it. Using the frustration of the loss against Forest last weekend as motivation to beat AC Milan. Although we started off slowly and went a goal down immediately, thankfully we were able to keep it going and get the win in the end. Great start and further momentum for Bournemouth on Saturday! Ken: The Dutch once again ruled the San Siro as Messrs Van Dijk, Gravenberch and Gakpo unwittingly paid homage to Messrs Rijkaard, Gullit and Van Basten! Got a bit sloppy towards the end but it was a tremendous response after the early setback. The whole team played well to get the campaign off to a great start.
Image source, Getty Images Former defender Stephen Warnock speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live after Liverpool's 3-1 win away to AC Milan in the Champions League: "Liverpool got a foothold in the game and Arne Slot changed things. "The possession Liverpool had was dominant - it created so many opportunities. "They got complete control going 3-1 ahead and it never looked in doubt from there. "Against [Nottingham] Forest, Liverpool found it difficult to break them down and they were impatient in the way they played - today there was a real calmness. "[The San Siro is] a difficult stadium to come to and one that can be toxic for an away team. "The way AC Milan are struggling themselves it might not have been as hostile as we thought it would have been. "There will be moments Arne Slot will be disappointed where AC Milan got too much possession and counter-attacked when it was a sloppy pass from a Liverpool player. "But from 15-minutes onwards it was an extremely professional performance from Liverpool."
Image source, Getty Images Liverpool manager Arne Slot, speaking to Amazon Prime: "A great way to spend my birthday. 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. "Losing Saturday was a blow and to be 1-0 down early tonight, you are wondering how we react. "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 today. "I would have played Cody Gakpo on Saturday but he played two games for the national side. Today was more a team display than an individual display."
Image source, Getty Images Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, speaking to Amazon Prime: "I think we had more chances but they were dangerous in moments as well. We controlled the game pretty good and it's a fair result for us. "We stayed calm and stayed focus. We have to thank our centre-backs for two great headers. After that moment we controlled the game better. "We work on set-pieces before every game and we're very happy it worked out today. "Every player wants to play and I got my moment. I really wanted to show myself and I am very happy with an assist but also especially with the win."
Joe Rindl BBC Sport journalist Image source, Getty Images Cody Gakpo was making his first Liverpool start of the season. He didn't pass up on the opportunity to impress. The 25-year-old looked dangerous every time he received the ball, making driving runs towards the box from the left. He had two fierce shots which were well-saved by AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan and was rewarded for his efforts in the second-half when he assisted Dominik Szoboszlai for a tap-in after a mazy run. Gakpo has even more competition for a starting spot this season, with summer signing Federico Chiesa making his Reds debut against Milan as a second-half stoppage-time substitute. But Chiesa may struggle for game time this campaign if Gakpo kickstarts a run of form by replicating his San Siro performance.
Image source, Getty Images Trent Alexander-Arnold's assist for Liverpool’s equaliser was his 80th for the Reds – since his debut in October 2016, only Kevin de Bruyne (146) and team-mate Mohamed Salah (90) have provided more in all competitions among Premier League players.
Media caption, Ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie, AC Milan fans seem to have been less than impressed by their start to the season, with Nicky Bandini saying fans stopped the team bus "demanding maximum application" before their weekend's victory at home to Venezia. Milan started the season picking up only two points from their opening three games, despite manager Paulo Fonseca saying the club's objective was to win the Serie A title. Speaking to BBC Sport's Football News Show, football writer Bandini said: "It had reached quite a boiling point already at Milan, there was a big fan protest before the game at the weekend. "Fans were stopping the bus demanding maximum application - they did go on to wallop Venezia 4-0. "But between the new manager and quite a lot of new faces, it does feel like a team in flux." Listen to Milan v Liverpool live on 5 Live tonight
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