While there was nothing at stake for Liverpool – other than pride and the chance to become the first English side to win all six of their Champions League group matches – a win tonight for legendary Italian side and current Series A leaders, AC Milan, would’ve meant they would’ve put themselves in position to qualify for the knock out stages or, at least, keep their European campaign going with qualification for the Europa League. Defeat for Milan would mean elimination from all this season’s European competitions.
Such a surprise, therefore, that the Italian side were so poor this evening or, maybe, we were expecting too much from them, are overestimating the Italian league, particularly in light of the national side becoming European champions over the summer, or, indeed, underestimating how dominant English sides – plus, maybe, PSG, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid – currently are in the Champions League.
Thus, having made eight changes to tonight’s lineup, Jurgen Klopp was able to see his Liverpool side dominate play from start to finish and run out comfortable 2-1 winners. And this despite going one down on 29 minutes after a Milan corner – their first of the match – saw some sloppy near-post defending from Taki Minamino and some questionable keeping from Alisson Becker to allow Fikayo Tomori, on loan from Chelsea, to smash the ball into the back of the net from three yards out.
Perhaps doubt would’ve crept into Liverpool minds if Milan could hold onto their lead for any period of time but it took only seven minutes for the Reds to equalise. A snapshot from Alex Oxlade Chamberlain from the edge of the box, after an effective dribble, was only parried by the Milan keeper, the ball landing at pace at the feet of Mo Salah who whacked it first time high into the back of the net.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with Liverpool dominating and AC Milan not able to lay a glove on the Reds. A second goal for Liverpool seemed inevitable and on 55 minutes it came when a mix up between Mike Maignan and his centre back allowed Sadio Mané in. The Senegalese striker’s powerful shot was fisted out by the Milan keeper, but a predatory Divock Origi – coming after his match-winning performance against Wolves at the weekend – was waiting to cleverly head the ball into the net.
Milan tried to rouse themselves to get back into the game, but they rarely troubled Alisson and Liverpool looked more likely to get a third than the Italians did to equalise.
Next up for Liverpool is the return of Steven Gerrard to Anfield. He’ll be rocking up as manager of in-form Aston Villa, having won three of his first four matches in charge. Still, given the way Liverpool have been playing recently, since the West Ham defeat, it’s hard to see anything other than a Reds’ victory.
As for the Champions League, Liverpool will find out who they play in the first round of the knockout stages when the draw takes place on Monday. Talking of draws, yesterday’s third round FA Cup draw was favourable for the Reds, resulting in them being asked to play League One strugglers Shrewsbury Town at home.
Such a surprise, therefore, that the Italian side were so poor this evening or, maybe, we were expecting too much from them, are overestimating the Italian league, particularly in light of the national side becoming European champions over the summer, or, indeed, underestimating how dominant English sides – plus, maybe, PSG, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid – currently are in the Champions League.
Thus, having made eight changes to tonight’s lineup, Jurgen Klopp was able to see his Liverpool side dominate play from start to finish and run out comfortable 2-1 winners. And this despite going one down on 29 minutes after a Milan corner – their first of the match – saw some sloppy near-post defending from Taki Minamino and some questionable keeping from Alisson Becker to allow Fikayo Tomori, on loan from Chelsea, to smash the ball into the back of the net from three yards out.
Perhaps doubt would’ve crept into Liverpool minds if Milan could hold onto their lead for any period of time but it took only seven minutes for the Reds to equalise. A snapshot from Alex Oxlade Chamberlain from the edge of the box, after an effective dribble, was only parried by the Milan keeper, the ball landing at pace at the feet of Mo Salah who whacked it first time high into the back of the net.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with Liverpool dominating and AC Milan not able to lay a glove on the Reds. A second goal for Liverpool seemed inevitable and on 55 minutes it came when a mix up between Mike Maignan and his centre back allowed Sadio Mané in. The Senegalese striker’s powerful shot was fisted out by the Milan keeper, but a predatory Divock Origi – coming after his match-winning performance against Wolves at the weekend – was waiting to cleverly head the ball into the net.
Milan tried to rouse themselves to get back into the game, but they rarely troubled Alisson and Liverpool looked more likely to get a third than the Italians did to equalise.
Next up for Liverpool is the return of Steven Gerrard to Anfield. He’ll be rocking up as manager of in-form Aston Villa, having won three of his first four matches in charge. Still, given the way Liverpool have been playing recently, since the West Ham defeat, it’s hard to see anything other than a Reds’ victory.
As for the Champions League, Liverpool will find out who they play in the first round of the knockout stages when the draw takes place on Monday. Talking of draws, yesterday’s third round FA Cup draw was favourable for the Reds, resulting in them being asked to play League One strugglers Shrewsbury Town at home.
