Liverpool: The reds beat their old European foes AC Milan at home
AC Milan surprisingly led the game 1-2 at halftime. However, Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson made sure the home side went out with the three points.
Liverpool vs AC Milan
Liverpool vs AC Milan is a game no true football fan will ever forget. The two successful European giants have played out quite a few classics in the past. No one will forget Gerrard’s rallying of his troop from a 3-0 halftime score to drag the game all the way to penalties and win the entire competition in 2005 at Istanbul. AC Milan, two years later, made sure that never happened again in 2007 when they beat Liverpool 2-1 in Greece. It was their 7th and final European triumph.
The Italian giants returned to the prestigious European competition after a 7-year hiatus from the competition. And their return was meant to be against one of their dearest foes in the competition.
First Half
Liverpool dominated the game from the word get-go. Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota missed early chances, and they took the lead through a brilliant combination between Alexander-Arnold and Salah. The reds led early goal thanks to a Fikayo Tomori’s own goal from Trent Alexander Arnold’s cross in the 9th minute. Mohamed Salah failed to convert the penalty in the 14th minute thanks to a brilliant save from Maignan. Liverpool was awarded a penalty for a handball from Ismael Bennacer as he blocked Robertson’s cross, but Salah’s blasted penalty was saved by Maignan down the middle before the Milan stopper reacted well to stop Jota’s header at close range.
Milan then settled slightly as Liverpool moved to a lower gear. The Italian giants equalized out of nothing as Leao’s pass split Matip and Joe Gomez to find Rebic. The Croatian wrapped his foot around the ball to finish low past Alisson. And just 110 seconds later it was 2-1 as Diaz tapped home from close range after Theo Hernandez shot was blocked on the line. Rebic and Leao combine nicely once again for the second goal.
Second Half
AC Milan thought they scored their third of the night when Simon Kjaer converted at the back post at a corner. However, the offside flag correctly went up.
Liverpool equalized as Origi scooped the ball over the Milan backline for the Salah. The Egyptian composed himself before pushing the ball past Maignan to make it 2-2. The 2019 champions found their third goal as Henderson’s first-time half-volley from the edge of the box was struck superbly, flying into the bottom left corner. Jordan Henderson scored the second champions league goal of his career. The two goals are split by 2,485 days.
The one-goal lead was still fragile as substitute Olivier Giroud headed off target. Alisson just cleared ahead of Milan’s front line from a corner, but Liverpool held on to the lead for the victory.
Liverpool has won their opening home game in seven of their last eight Champions League campaigns. The reds last lost against Marseille in 2007. Under Klopp, Liverpool has only lost one of their 13 group stage games in the Champions League at Anfield. They lost 0-2 versus Atalanta last season