Liverpool vs AC Milan LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
Two giants of European history met for a first ever competitive encounter outside of a final
The Champions League continued tonight and Premier League side Liverpool started their group campaign with a thrilling 3-2 home win againstAC Milan.
Despite the two clubs being among the most successful handful of teams in European Cup history, they had only ever met twice in competitive games – the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals. This occasion, then, was set to be a rather different one and a first visit for the Serie A giants to Anfield. Neither one had lost a match yet this term, with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in the group level on points at the top of the Premier League and the Rossoneri similarly positioned in Italy’s top flight.
That changed this evening, however, with Liverpool edging an enthralling encounter. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected shot put the hosts ahead, before Mohamed Salah’s penalty was saved. Still, the Reds were rampant, yet Milan netted twice in quick succession against the run of play to head into the break with a 2-1 lead – Brahim Diaz and Ante Rebic the goalscorers. Salah put away a dinked pass from Divock Origi, though, to equalise early in the second half, before Jordan Henderson’s drilled half-volley restored Liverpool’s lead – which they retained until the full-time whistle.
Relive updates of the Champions League Group B encounter between Liverpool and AC Milan below:
Liverpool 3 - 2 AC Milan
87 mins: Liverpool win a free kick over on the left wing. Alexander-Arnold flicks it into the box but Giroud is there to head it clear. Milner collects the loose ball and slides it into the box. Alexander-Arnold sweeps in from the right but he loses the ball and Milan boot it clear.
Liverpool 3 - 2 AC Milan
84 mins: Jordan Henderson and Mo Salah get standing ovations from the Liverpool fans as they’re both taken off. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner come on for the final few minutes. Will we see another goal?
Liverpool 3 - 2 AC Milan
81 mins: Inside the last 10 minutes now. How’re your nerves Liverpool fans? James Milner’s getting ready to come on for the Reds. Do the home side have enough to see out this game? It’ll be a great win if they do.
Liverpool 3 - 2 AC Milan
77 mins: Close! Liverpool need to be switched on. Milan showed in the first half that they’re never out of the game. A little period of possession allows them up the pitch. Theo Hernandez isn’t closed down over on the inside left. He chips a cross into the box and finds Olivier Giroud. Joe Gomez challenges him to the aerial ball and does just enough to put off the striker whose headed chance goes wide of the back post.
Liverpool 3 - 2 AC Milan
74 mins: Milan just need to stem the flow. Liverpool seem back to their attacking best. They’re pressing high, whipping in crosses and throwing men into the box. Milan are struggling to get out.
Jones cuts inside from the right wing and takes a left-footed strike from range. He hits it well but the effort goes wide of the far post. What an introduction that would have been.
Liverpool 3 - 2 AC Milan
71 mins: That goal is Jordan Henderson’s first Champions League goal in seven years and it was a beauty.
More substitutions from both teams. Sandro Tonali replaces Ismael Bennacer for Milan whilst Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcantara come on for Liverpool replacing Diogo Jota and Naby Keita.
GOAL! Liverpool 3 - 2 AC Milan (Henderson, 69’)⚽️
69 mins: What a strike! Diogo Jota gets a shot deflected out for a corner and Alexander-Arnold takes this one instead of Robertson. It’s an inswinger that bounces just in front of Jordan Henderson on the front edge of the box. Henderson drills it on the half volley and beats Maignan to his right. Liverpool are back in front!
Liverpool 2 - 2 AC Milan
66 mins: Mane gets into the action straight away. Alexander-Arnold picks him out with a curling cross into the box. Mane chests it down beautifully and then smokes a snapshot high and wide.
Liverpool 2 - 2 AC Milan
63 mins: Origi is hit by a heavy tackle from Brahim Diaz who gets booked. He stays down and needs some attention from the medical staff. In response Jurgen Klopp calls on Sadio Mane and Liverpool make the change. Origi off, Mane on.
Liverpool 2 - 2 AC Milan
60 mins: Shot! Milan try to work the ball out from the back but give it away to Robertson. He cuts inside to the right and hits one from range. He connects sweetly but the effort is stopped by Maignan.
Milan make a double change as Saelemaekers and Leao are taken off with Alessandro Florenzi and Olivier Giroud brought on.
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