AC Milan vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as Arne Slot’s men complete comeback win
AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool: Goals from Konate, Van Dijk and Szobozslai secured a comeback win for the Reds
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arne Slot celebrated a first European victory as Liverpool head coach as his team defeated AC Milan 3-1 at the San Siro to kick off their Champions League campaign with a win.
Things started horribly for the Reds though as Kostas Tsimikas was caught out of position allowing Christian Pulisic to nip into the vacant space and slot home a superb finish with barely two minutes on the clock.
Liverpool responded brilliantly though. They controlled play and dictated the tempo against a deep defensive block. Mo Salah, who twice hit the crossbar, and Cody Gakpo looked hungry to score but the equaliser came courtesy of a defender.
Trent Alexander-Arnold flicked in a free kick and found Ibrahima Konate who nodded past an injured Mike Maignan to pull Liverpool level. A second set piece, this one a corner, put the visitors ahead with Virgil van Dijk heading home.
Late in the second half, Dominik Szobozslai volleyed home a cross from Cody Gakpo to secure the points and send the Reds marching on.
Relive the action with our live blog below:
Arne Slot overcomes significant hurdle with Liverpool against AC Milan to lay down Champions League marker
Another first for Arne Slot at Liverpool, and one that was much more significant than a debut win in this new Champions League. This emphatic 3-1 victory over Milan was the first time his team have come from behind.
That is more impressive and important than it sounds, given the concerns that could have been allowed to spread from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, and then Christian Pulisic scoring within three minutes of this Champions League season starting. Rather than new concerns, though, Liverpool just gave themselves new confidence.
Arne Slot overcomes significant hurdle with Liverpool against AC Milan
AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool: Liverpool scored three goals and showed their skill and determination at the San Siro
Harry Kane breaks records on Champions League return as Liverpool, Aston Villa and Real Madrid all win
Harry Kane eclipsed Wayne Rooney’s Champions League record with a hat-trick of penalties in a four-goal haul as Bayern Munich demolished Dinamo Zagreb 9-2.
The England captain equalled Rooney’s total of 30 goals in the competition – the most by an English player – when he converted a 19th-minute spot-kick, and then went past him with a 57th-minute finish before extending his record.
In the meantime, Raphael Guerreiro and Michael Olise looked to have put the hosts in complete charge by half-time at the Allianz Arena, but Bruno Petkovic and Takuya Ogiwara dragged Dinamo right back into it at 3-2.
However, Kane and Olise each struck for a second time within three minutes of each other and then the former Tottenham frontman completed his quadruple with two more penalties before substitutes Leroy Sane and Leon Goretzka completed the rout.
Harry Kane breaks records on Champions League return as Villa and Real Madrid win
Kane scored four as Bayern ran riot against Dinamo Zagreb with Kylian Mbappe scoring for Real
Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Prime Video Sport:
“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.”
More from Virgil van Dijk:
“The new manager has come in and has his ideas. There have been small, subtle changes in possession and positioning at times. It’s not that different. We had an amazing time under Jurgen Klopp and, hopefully, we’ll have an amazing time under Arne Slot.”
Liverpool overcome AC Milan at the San Siro
Virgil van Dijk speaking to Prime Video Sport
Virgil van Dijk, spoke to Prime Video Sport about his 50th Champions League match. He said: “I’m very proud to be standing here after 50 appearances, a goal and a win at the San Siro after a difficult start. The way we played after that start was outstanding.”
Arne Slot speaking to Prime Video Sport
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, spoke to Prime Video Sport after the match saying: “It was a great day to celebrate your birthday at a stadium like this – and then to win. I wouldn’t have said this after five minutes, but it went quite well.
“We showed how well we can play on the ball. We like to press high and be really aggressive but we also like to play out from the back and create chances.”
Focus around Europe
Elsewhere in Europe tonight, Kylian Mbappe scored his first Champions League goal since joining Real Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti’s side beat Stuttgart 3-1 with Antonio Rudiger and Endrick also on the scoresheet.
Sporting earned a 2-0 victory over 10-man Lille after England midfielder Angel Gomes was sent off in the first half. The story of the evening though goes to Bayern Munich.
There were 11 goals in Germany as Harry Kane struck four in a 9-2 Bayern Munich victory over Dinamo Zagreb.
Dominik Szoboszlai secures the points
Szoboszlai’s goal, Liverpool’s third, made it a comfortable victory at the San Siro. Here’s how he scored it:
Liverpool’s next opponents
After cruising through this one, Liverpool will now take on Bologna at Anfield in a few weeks time on October 2nd. A second victory there and they’ll be well on their way to the knockout rounds with six of these league phase matches left to play.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments