Milan 1-3 Liverpool: Ratings for players as Liverpool secures their first European win with under Arne Slot. …

Liverpool triumphed over Milan with a score of 3-1 on Tuesday night in their Champions League debut.

Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Dominik Szoboszlai found the net for the Reds, while Christian Pulisic had initially put Milan ahead just three minutes into the match.

Following a disappointing loss over the weekend, Liverpool responded emphatically by securing a victory against Milan in their first Champions League match under Arne Slot.

The first half was thrilling, showcasing the dominance of Liverpool’s central defenders, as Konate and Van Dijk both scored from close range after Pulisic’s early goal for Milan.

Szoboszlai added a third for Liverpool in the second half, solidifying a crucial win on the opening day of the revamped Champions League.

After suffering a 1-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, Liverpool needed a strong response in their Champions League opener.

However, they faced an early setback when Milan took the lead within the first three minutes.

A lapse in defensive organization on Liverpool’s left flank allowed Pulisic to break free and he expertly placed a low shot past Alisson into the far corner.

Despite the rocky start, Liverpool began to regain their composure after 15 minutes, coming close to equalizing through Mohamed Salah, whose powerful shot hit the crossbar.

The Reds did not have to wait long for their equalizer, as in the 23rd minute, a precise cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold was met by Konate, who headed it in from just six yards out.

The visitors quickly gained the upper hand as Diogo Jota squandered a golden opportunity and Salah struck the crossbar for the second time.

However, Van Dijk’s close-range header ultimately provided Liverpool with a well-deserved one-goal lead as they headed into halftime.

Liverpool’s prospects for the evening could have improved significantly just after the restart, but Jota’s shot was expertly saved by Mike Maignan, who was subsequently forced to leave the pitch due to injury following his intervention against the Portuguese forward.

Slot’s team eventually secured the crucial fourth goal of the match, thanks to the exceptional skill of Cody Gakpo, which allowed Liverpool to establish a two-goal advantage.

The Dutch player broke free from the Milan defense, maneuvered past Strahinja Pavlovic, and set up Szoboszlai for an easy finish.

Van Dijk nearly added a second goal when he headed over from another threatening Liverpool set piece, while Darwin Nunez missed two half-chances after coming on for Jota.

Nevertheless, Slot’s side had already accomplished the hard work and comfortably secured three vital points to begin their Champions League journey.

Liverpool player ratings

GK: Alisson – 6/10 – Mostly unchallenged and unable to prevent Milan’s early goal. Gave the hosts a few chances due to some careless passing.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8/10 – The Englishman’s precise delivery was crucial in leveling the score, and he effectively managed Leao on the right flank. His playmaking skills were instrumental in breaking down Milan’s defense.

CB: Ibrahima Konate – 7/10 – Should have closed down Pulisic more quickly as the American put Milan ahead but redeemed himself with a rare goal 20 minutes later. He settled into the game after a shaky start and finished strongly.

CB: Virgil van Dijk – 8/10 – Van Dijk matched Konate’s performance, scoring a similar header just before halftime to give the Reds the lead. He was dominant in his battles against Morata and Abraham.

LB: Kostas Tsimikas – 6/10 – Tsimikas was largely absent during Milan’s opening goal after he advanced forward without purpose to apply pressure. However, his precise corner kick enabled Van Dijk to score and give Liverpool the lead. Overall, it was a performance with mixed results from the left-back.

DM: Alexis Mac Allister – 8/10 – Mac Allister was aggressive in tackles, established the rhythm of play, and remained composed under pressure—qualities that Liverpool required in a challenging setting. He nearly assisted in the second half with a brilliant through ball.

DM: Ryan Gravenberch – 7/10 – Liverpool initially felt the absence of a dedicated number six, but Gravenberch’s influence grew as the match progressed. He displayed his usual elegance in possession and while maneuvering.

RW: Mohamed Salah – 7/10 – Salah was incredibly unfortunate to hit the woodwork twice in the first half with strong attempts and will likely reflect on how he left San Siro without a goal. Nevertheless, he consistently posed a threat on the right flank.

AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – 8/10 – Szoboszlai delivered an impressive performance, tirelessly pressing Milan and making intelligent runs into their half, one of which resulted in his instinctive goal.

LW: Cody Gakpo – 8/10 – Stepping in for the energetic Luis Diaz, Gakpo proved to be a significant challenge for Calabria with his movement and agility. He was exceptional in possession, created opportunities for his teammates, and assisted the third goal with a brilliant play.

ST: Diogo Jota – 6/10 – Jota missed a golden chance to give Liverpool the lead shortly after Konate’s header and lacked his usual sharpness in the attacking third.

Substitutes

SUB: Darwin Nunez (68′ for Gakpo) – 5/10

SUB: Luis Diaz (68′ for Jota) – 7/10

SUB: Joe Gomez (79′ for Alexander-Arnold) – 6/10

SUB: Federico Chiesa (90+3′ for Salah) – N/A

SUB: Wataru Endo (90+3′ for Mac Allister) – N/A

Milan player ratings

GK: Mike Maignan – 5/10 – Maignan arguably should have been more authoritative in his area during Liverpool’s two first-half goals, although he was dealing with an injury. He still

RB: Davide Calabria – 4/10 – An unnecessary challenge resulted in a free kick for Liverpool, which they converted to equalize. He struggled to keep up with Gakpo’s speed and creativity throughout the match.

CB: Strahinja Pavlovic – 4/10 – Given his physical presence, he should have had a greater impact during Liverpool’s set pieces but was easily outmaneuvered by Gakpo for the visitors’ third goal.

CB: Fikayo Tomori – 6/10 – He effectively contained Jota and made several crucial interventions during Liverpool’s quick counterattacks. However, he likely expected more assistance from his defensive partners.

LB: Theo Hernandez – 6/10 – Displayed his typical energetic runs down the left side, yet remained largely unnoticeable for the majority of the match.

DM: Youssouf Fofana – 5/10 – Received a booking for a deliberate foul in the first half and struggled to maintain control in midfield as Liverpool gained dominance.

DM: Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 5/10 – His passing and ball control were inconsistent, leading to minimal impact in the attacking third. A lackluster performance on a significant occasion.

RW: Christian Pulisic – 7/10 – Gave Milan an early lead with a well-executed run and finish but found it challenging to remain involved as the match unfolded.

AM: Tijjani Reijnders – 6/10 – Showed promise in the early stages by finding space and initiating several attacks, but his influence diminished considerably in the second half.

LW: Rafael Leao – 6/10 – Had a couple of signature moments where he evaded defenders, but failed to make significant contributions in a match where Milan needed a standout performer.

ST: Alvaro Morata – 7/10 – Provided a clever header that assisted Pulisic’s opening goal and posed a constant threat to Konate with his physical play and determination.

Substitutes

SUB: Lorenzo Torriani (51′ for Maignan) – 6/10 – Despite a few inaccurate passes and kicks, he performed admirably on his senior debut under challenging conditions.