On a sensational opening night in this season’s Champions League, Liverpool got their quest to regain the European Cup off to the best possible start.
The Reds blew Milan away in the early stages and after Fikayo Tomori’s own goal gave them the lead they could have gone 2-0 up in the 14th minute but Mohamed Salah saw his spot kick saved by Mike Maignan.
After completely dominating the first half, the Reds somehow found themselves trailing 2-1 at half time thanks to two goals in quick succession scored by Ante Rebic and the impressive Brahim Diaz.
The Reds re-grouped at half time and levelled through Mohammed Salah in the 48th minute. They then went on to seal the victory with a Jordan Henderson thunderbolt in the 69th minute.
Whilst Liverpool were very impressive and dominated for large parts of the game, it was not a comfortable evening as the Rossoneri proved what a dangerous team they can be.
Jurgen Klopp will therefore be delighted to have got the job done and can now look forward to the Premier League game against Crystal Palace at home on Saturday.
GOAL: Fikayo Tomori (own goal) – 9th minute
The home team deservedly took the lead in the 9th minute after dominating Milan in the early exchanges.
The goal was a result of a slick passing move that started in their own half before the ball was worked out to Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right.
The England international right back exchanged passes with Salah before advancing into the box where he attempted a cross to Diogo Jota at the far past.
Alexander-Arnold had not been tracked by his marker Rafael Leao forcing Tomori to shut down the space that had opened up and the ball deflected off of him past Maignan and into the net at the Kop end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_JE-g8kw-g
GOAL: Mohamed Salah – 48th minute
After his penalty was saved in the first half, there was no way that Salah was going to be denied his customary goal.
The Liverpool talisman was clearly frustrated at not making it 18 consecutive penalties scored and was determined to make up for it.
Salah worked tirelessly all evening in both attack and defence and once again found himself on the scoresheet as he drew Liverpool level in the 48th minute.
Some neat interplay between Fabinho, Salah and Origi on the edge of the penalty area saw the Belgian surrounded by Milan defenders.
With seemingly nowhere to go his brilliant chipped pass found his teammate in space eight yards from goal.
As the ball bounced high, Salah cleverly steered the ball with the outside of his left boot into the corner of the AC Milan net.
Salah showed concern as to whether he had remained onside but the replays clearly showed he was being kept on by Davide Calabria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uECn5JoXBuQ
GOAL: Jordan Henderson – 69th minute
The winning goal was one worthy of winning any match and came from skipper Jordan Henderson.
Liverpool were awarded a corner on the right after Jota’s strike at goal was brilliantly blocked by Simon Kjaer.
The resulting corner was taken by Alexander-Arnold but was easily headed clear at the near post by Ismael Bennacer.
The Milan midfielder will be disappointed that he could only direct the ball to a central area where Liverpool’s number 14 was waiting 20 yards from goal.
Henderson’s rasping drive on the half volley was perfectly executed as it flew past Maignan into the back of the net for his first Champions League goal for seven years.
It was a brilliant conclusion to an outstanding opening night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIgVrS3c-J4