Liverpool’s Champions League marketing campaign is off and working with three factors earned after coming from behind to beat AC Milan 3-1 within the San Siro.
AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool
Champions League (1), San Siro
September 17, 2024
Objectives: Pulisic 3′; Konate 23′, Van Dijk 41′, Szoboszlai 66′
Gakpo impresses with first begin underneath Slot
Whereas consideration was on what number of rotations and alterations to his group Arne Slot may make, the extra pertinent matter is how these coming into the group carried out and whether or not they’ll push for normal begins in future.
For Cody Gakpo, subsequently, he might be extraordinarily completely satisfied along with his 67-minute outing after a vibrant and forward-thinking exhibiting in what was his first begin of the marketing campaign, his first begin underneath the brand new boss.
Luis Diaz has shone initially of the season from the left, with Gakpo restricted to 4 sub appearances amounting to simply underneath one full match in minutes phrases – however right here he was the group’s finest outlet as a rule, created loads of moments of hazard and wrapped up his show with an help for the third purpose.
It ought to be famous that this was the Dutchman again in his previous function, his common nationwide group place, slightly than central the place he operated for the Reds throughout a lot of final season.
No purpose for him, however undoubtedly a efficiency which ought to deliver him into the considering for a number of upcoming video games.
Alongside these traces of attacking choices, Federico Chiesa made his debut in stoppage time and can hope for considerably extra involvement quickly.
Reds show means to reply in additional methods than one
Following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Forest on the weekend, Arne Slot was dealing with the primary questions of his reign and his group had been dealing with a primary second of the season underneath the highlight: may they reply to a setback?
With the consequence, they’ve clearly answered within the affirmative, however bouncing again with a win – in Europe and on the highway no much less – is just half of the equation.
Liverpool additionally conceded first within the recreation once more and, whereas that’s an affliction the aspect don’t wish to be revisiting too typically once more, they did this time rise to the problem of responding in-match.
Two first-half objectives turned the tide of their favour in deserved trend and so they then had the composure and management within the recreation to see issues out.
First set-piece objectives of the season
Throughout the 2023/24 Premier League marketing campaign, the Reds scored 15 occasions from non-penalty set-pieces – solely Man Metropolis (16), Everton (19) and Arsenal (20) managed greater than that.
We hadn’t scored any in any respect this time period within the opening 4 matches, and whereas initially it might be argued we hadn’t wanted such a path to purpose, a kind of actually wouldn’t have gone amiss in opposition to Forest – however even there the Reds by no means regarded remotely threatening, by supply or connection.
It was a giant optimistic, subsequently, to see the primary two set-piece objectives of the season scored on the San Siro – related in finishes, being close-range headers in a central place, however one from a slim free-kick and one off a nook, each from completely different sides of the pitch.
By extension it meant a primary help of the season for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who delivered the lifeless ball to Ibou Konate, whereas Kostas Tsimikas crossed for Virgil van Dijk‘s go-ahead purpose.
Slot appeared to loved a joke with Aaron Briggs post-match, with Briggs seemingly the Reds’ set-piece coach.
Gravenberch embraces defensive facet of function
After a fairly poor all-round midfield exhibiting on the weekend, that was perhaps the realm of the group which wanted the most important upturn in efficiency ranges each on and off the ball.
Alexis Mac Allister impressed, Dominik Szoboszlai scored, nevertheless it was Ryan Gravenberch who deserved the acclaim this time.
On the ball he was respectable sufficient, economical along with his passing for probably the most half and ensuring the Reds saved play going forwards, nevertheless it was defensively the place he actually confirmed he’s embracing the problem laid right down to him by the supervisor.
Gravenberch made six interceptions on the evening, 3 times as many as anybody else on the pitch, however the numbers don’t present the willpower and aggression to chase again his man and slide out a harmful cut-back with Konate out of place.
An enormous bear hug and cheer from Van Dijk actually bolstered that his teammates acknowledge the youthful Dutchman’s efforts in taking up every little thing the place requires.
Stress already off in Europe
Properly, it stays to be seen if Uefa’s massive emphasis on “each recreation issues” rings remotely true within the new-look Champions League format.
However on the primary proof, not too many followers – not simply Liverpool ones – are significantly excited by the prospect of extra group video games and 4 months of motion simply to do away with 12 groups initially.
In any case, an away win on the first try relieves an terrible lot of potential strain already, when contemplating Uefa’s personal projections suggests ten factors will get a play-off spot at worst and we nonetheless have 4 residence matches to play.
After all a top-eight end, thus avoiding an additional two video games in a play-off, is the purpose, and once more the estimations say 16 factors will do the job.
4 extra wins from the seven video games left will virtually do it, then? Once more, not a lot jeopardy or pleasure to be involved about, if that’s the case.
We’ll take it for starters – subsequent it’s about getting again to consistency in home phrases.
AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool
