5 talking points as Liverpool deliver perfect response to first Slot setback (original) (raw)
Liverpool deliver perfect response to first Arne Slot setback with AC Milan fightback - 5 talking points
AC MILAN 1-3 LIVERPOOL: Arne Slot's Liverpool fell behind inside three minutes against AC Milan but the manager was treated to a rousing comeback from his players
Dominik Szoboszlai completed Liverpool's comeback in Milan
Arne Slot survived a scare on his first Champions League match as Liverpool manager, but the Reds delivered a fantastic response as they came from behind to beat AC Milan at the San Siro.
Milan got their noses in front inside three minutes as Christian Pulisic was allowed to burst forwatd unchallenged before finding the bottom corner. That didn't immediately stun Liverpool into action, but they almost scored an equaliser from nothing when Mohamed Salah fired against the underside of the bar.
The visitors didn't have to wait much longer for the leveller, with Ibrahima Konate beating Mike Maignan to a Trent Alexander-Arnold delivery and heading home. Konate's defensive partner Virgil van Dijk then followed suit, putting Slot's team in front when he got his head to a Kostas Tsimikas corner.
Things got worse for Milan early in the second half when Maignan was forced off injured and teenager Lorenzo Torriani was forced into action. Torriani was helpless to stop Dominik Szoboszlai prodding home a third, and that was enough to put the game out of sight.
From the moment they equalised, Liverpool took no mercy. Salah struck the woodwork for a second time before Van Dijk's goal, while Cody Gakpo stung Maignan's palms in first-half stoppage-time.
Milan and their under-pressure manager Paulo Fonseca threatened in short bursts, with Rafael Leao doing what he could down the left. They were a level or two behind their opponents once Liverpool found their feet, though, and the Premier League side could even have scored more.
It had briefly looked as though Milan would ruin Slot's 46th birthday, but those worries were quickly put to bed. Here are Mirror Football 's talking points from a busy Champions League opener.
1. Perfect timing from Konate
You have to go back to the spring of 2022 for the last time Ibrahima Konate scored a goal for Liverpool. Manchester City were the opponents that day, with the Reds winning 3-2 in an FA Cup semi-final.
What did you make of Liverpool's performance? Have your say in the comments section
Ibrahima Konate celebrating his goal for Liverpool against AC Milan (
Image:
Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
After two seasons without finding the net, though, the Frenchman made sure he scored when it mattered. Milan keeper Maignan might feel he should have been more assertive when attempting to claim a ball into the box, but those in Liverpool colours won't mind.
It was also Trent Alexander-Arnold's 11th Champions League assist. Not the worst return, even for a player who regularly finds himself on set-piece duty.
2. Forest repeat avoided
Callum Hudson-Odoi's goal for Nottingham Forest appeared to catch Liverpool unawares on Saturday, with Slot's ream unable to respond. In Milan, though, there were no such problems.
Virgil van Dijk celebrating his goal in Milan (
Image:
Getty Images)
Liverpool appeared to treat Pulisic's opener as an affront, responding by battering down the door to their opponents' goal. They'd scored twice by the break, but it easily could have been more.
Slot refused to make excuses for the weekend reverse, but another goal against his team could have been a real test of their mentality. There will be other occasions where they're caught on the break, but by responding so decisively in the first half at the San Siro they showed a resilience that should please the boss.
3. More questions for Tsimikas
Kostas Tsimikas had a nightmare last season as Liverpool were eliminated from the Europa League by Atalanta, and there were more woes for the Greek international against Italian opposition. As Pulisic ran onto the ball for his opener, Liverpool's left-back - who should have been keeping tabs on his direct opponent - was nowhere to be seen.
Christian Pulisic opened the scoring inside three minutes (
Image:
AC Milan via Getty Images)
Tsimikas has often looked better going forward than he has defensively, but there was a point in his Liverpool career where he looked to be growing into the kind of player who could contribute positively on a regular basis. Instead, though, he has begun going backwards.
That attacking contribution came in the form of an assist for Van Dijk. However,with Andy Robertson set to turn 31 before the end of the season, there was surely a hope Tsimikas would already be a reliable option at both ends of the pitch.
4. Salah a man on a mission
Mohamed Salah has come into the new season like a man with a point to prove. Three goals in the first three league games were testament to that, and he did everything but score in the first 45 minutes in Milan.
Mohamed Salah was desperately close to a first-half goal (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
A tiny bit more accuracy with either of the shots the Egyptian crashed against the woodwork might have made Liverpool's task easier. The venom of the efforts was encouraging, though, and there's no suggestion the blank against Nottingham Forest has slowed him down.
Liverpool's next match is against Bournemouth, a team against whom Salah has scored nine times in nine league meetings. You wouldn't put it past him to make it 10 in 10.
5. Huge difference between two new bosses
It was a happy birthday for Arne Slot (
Image:
Getty Images)
While Arne Slot has made an instant impact at Liverpool, there hasn't been the same positivity around Milan boss Paulo Fonseca. The former Lille boss won none of his first three Serie A games, though he eased some of the early pressure with a 4-0 victory over Venezia last time out.
Maignan's injury is yet another problem for the Rossoneri. The Frenchman was struggling in the first half but tried to carry on, only to be forced off early in the second. With backup Marco Sportiello also sidelined, rookie Torriani could end up having a big part to play in the manager's ability to turn things around.
After the comfortable win against Venezia Fonseca would have sorely loved for this weekend's Serie A game to be a straightforward one on paper. Instead, though, he has nowhere to hide with a derby against Inter awaiting his team.
Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £216 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
With Ultra HD included at no extra cost, football fans can enjoy the 2024/25 season with crystal clear picture quality.