'A real calmness' to Liverpool in San Siro winpublished at 23:22 17 September
23:22 17 September
Image source, Getty Images
Former defender Stephen Warnock speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live after Liverpool's 3-1 win away to AC Milan in the Champions League:
"Liverpool got a foothold in the game and Arne Slot changed things.
"The possession Liverpool had was dominant - it created so many opportunities.
"They got complete control going 3-1 ahead and it never looked in doubt from there.
"Against [Nottingham] Forest, Liverpool found it difficult to break them down and they were impatient in the way they played - today there was a real calmness.
"[The San Siro is] a difficult stadium to come to and one that can be toxic for an away team.
"The way AC Milan are struggling themselves it might not have been as hostile as we thought it would have been.
"There will be moments Arne Slot will be disappointed where AC Milan got too much possession and counter-attacked when it was a sloppy pass from a Liverpool player.
"But from 15-minutes onwards it was an extremely professional performance from Liverpool."
'A great way to spend my birthday'published at 23:00 17 September
23:00 17 September
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot, speaking to Amazon Prime: "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."
'I got my moment' - Gakpopublished at 22:50 17 September
22:50 17 September
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Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, speaking to Amazon Prime: "I think we had more chances but they were dangerous in moments as well. We controlled the game pretty good and it's a fair result for us.
"We stayed calm and stayed focus. We have to thank our centre-backs for two great headers. After that moment we controlled the game better.
"We work on set-pieces before every game and we're very happy it worked out today.
"Every player wants to play and I got my moment. I really wanted to show myself and I am very happy with an assist but also especially with the win."
AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool: Gakpo stars for Redspublished at 22:42 17 September
22:42 17 September
Joe Rindl BBC Sport journalist
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Cody Gakpo was making his first Liverpool start of the season. He didn't pass up on the opportunity to impress.
The 25-year-old looked dangerous every time he received the ball, making driving runs towards the box from the left.
He had two fierce shots which were well-saved by AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan and was rewarded for his efforts in the second-half when he assisted Dominik Szoboszlai for a tap-in after a mazy run.
Gakpo has even more competition for a starting spot this season, with summer signing Federico Chiesa making his Reds debut against Milan as a second-half stoppage-time substitute.
But Chiesa may struggle for game time this campaign if Gakpo kickstarts a run of form by replicating his San Siro performance.
AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool: Did you know?published at 22:34 17 September
22:34 17 September
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Trent Alexander-Arnold's assist for Liverpool’s equaliser was his 80th for the Reds – since his debut in October 2016, only Kevin de Bruyne (146) and team-mate Mohamed Salah (90) have provided more in all competitions among Premier League players.
AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool - send us your thoughtspublished at 22:02 17 September
22:02 17 September
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
What did you make of your team's performance, Liverpool fans?
Milan are a team 'in a flux'published at 15:18 17 September
15:18 17 September
Media caption,
Ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie, AC Milan fans seem to have been less than impressed by their start to the season, with Nicky Bandini saying fans stopped the team bus "demanding maximum application" before their weekend's victory at home to Venezia.
Milan started the season picking up only two points from their opening three games, despite manager Paulo Fonseca saying the club's objective was to win the Serie A title.
Speaking to BBC Sport's Football News Show, football writer Bandini said: "It had reached quite a boiling point already at Milan, there was a big fan protest before the game at the weekend.
"Fans were stopping the bus demanding maximum application - they did go on to wallop Venezia 4-0.
"But between the new manager and quite a lot of new faces, it does feel like a team in flux."
Gossip: Reds monitoring Lille midfielder Gomespublished at 07:33 17 September
07:33 17 September
Liverpool are interested in signing Lille midfielder Angel Gomes, with the club's scouts in attendance for the 24-year-old's first England start against Finland earlier this month. (Liverpool Echo), external
Eintracht Frankfurt and Egypt striker Omar Marmoush is keen to secure a Premier League move, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Crystal Palace and West Ham all interested in the 25-year-old. (Teamtalk), external
Slot on Chiesa, rotation and 'history' with AC Milanpublished at 19:20 16 September
19:20 16 September
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League game away to AC Milan (20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Federico Chiesa will be available for selection for the first time since his summer move from Juventus but it is "too early" for him to be in the starting line-up.
Slot added the Italian winger "combines quality with a tremendous work rate" and "brings this to his game with the combination of scoring goals".
He is excited for his first taste of Champions League football with Liverpool: "It's a big game, also for me, but a big game for us. Because of the history these two teams have, the venue it is played in, it is one to look forward to."
On Dominic Szoboszlai: "He has been important for us and his pressing has been outstanding. Something we have to work on is making him even more involved in scoring goals. He scored three last season but for an attacking midfielder at Liverpool, his numbers need to go up."
Slot expects a "completely different game" to Saturday's defeat to Nottingham Forest: "The team and me were really disappointed although we always put it in the right perspective. Last Saturday we didn't do as many things good as we did against United. We could have done a lot of things better."
However, he did not believe the defeat was down to squad rotation: "If rotation is the reason we lost the game it wouldn't be my first loss of 2024. It is too simple to put this loss on rotation. Too many players didn't reach their normal level."
He is not daunted by Tuesday's opponents: "We have a lot of respect for the quality of players and history of Milan. They have quality players. We're not scared but we do respect."
On the new Champions League format: "It is difficult to say how many points are needed because it is the first game we play this competition [like this]. I think it's clear if you want to end up in the first eight you need a lot of points. The only thing I like about the new format is every night there is a nice fixture to watch on television."
'Make this a sort of a reality check' - Van Dijkpublished at 18:17 16 September
18:17 16 September
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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says Saturday's home defeat to Nottingham Forest was "unacceptable" and needs to provide a "reality check".
The Reds lost 1-0 at Anfield, a first defeat under Arne Slot.
"In terms of ourselves, we weren't good enough," Van Dijk said.
"It's a performance we are definitely not happy with and we expect a lot better from ourselves. Losing at home is definitely something that can't happen.
"We were a bit too rushed. We put the ball in the box a bit quick or over-played it. Then you don't get the momentum you want to get. A disappointing afternoon. We have to turn this around and make this a sort of a reality check to be better for the season because if you want to achieve things this season, the contrast between the two games we played now is too big."
Asked about getting back on track when they face AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, he said: "Keep going, keep working. We all know how the atmosphere could change. That's also part of the influence from outside that could effect you. In my opinion we have a really good group that really understand today was unacceptable and we all know everyone can do better.
"We have been through losses and difficult moments together. I think we have to stay calm and will stay calm."
Fonseca expecting to face 'one of the strongest teams in Europe'published at 15:57 16 September
15:57 16 September
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AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca says his side will have to be "defensively perfect" if they are to beat Liverpool on Tuesday, as the Reds prepare to open their Champions League campaign (20:00 BST).
The Portuguese manager also revealed he believes Arne Slot's side are "one of the strongest teams in Europe" ahead of the clash.
Speaking about Liverpool's strengths in his pre-match news conference, Fonseca said: "They are a great team - one of the strongest in Europe at the moment. They have a very strong positional game and individual talents. We will need to be defensively perfect to win.
"In the Champions League, against teams like this, you cannot make mistakes. If we make one mistake, then they will score. We will need to be a complete team in defence to attack them with stability.
"For me, at this moment, they are one of the strongest teams in Europe."
On whether he has noticed any differences between Arne Slot's tactics and former manager Jurgen Klopp's approach, Fonseca added: "Slot has just arrived. They also have [some] different players [now].
"There are similarities, especially in their defensive style. The play out on the wings is very different but the way they recover the ball and press high is very similar."
'Liverpool were poor, but I'll argue the crowd was worse'published at 12:04 16 September
12:04 16 September
Jordan Chamberlain Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Arne Slot paid the price on Saturday for the international break, as his perfect start was ruined by Nottingham Forest.
Seven of his starting XI played the full 90 minutes just days before for their countries, and looked tired and out of ideas in front of a stale and uninspiring Anfield crowd.
Trent Alexander-Arnold mesmerised for England, but his final ball for Liverpool was poor. Diogo Jota scored a brace for Portugal but was anonymous. Alexis Mac Allister looked like a player who'd been fighting an injury in South America. In fact, only Ryan Gravenberch maintained his level from the first three matches. But it shouldn't be the Dutchman's job to carry a Liverpool side he's only just won a place in.
Liverpool were poor, but I'll argue the crowd was worse. Droves left before full-time, with the Reds chasing a one-goal deficit. That's the kind of thing that would've seen Slot's predecessor Jurgen Klopp fume. Slot, a more composed, less emotional figure, didn't mention it.
But the constant groaning every time Liverpool gave the ball away, from minute one, didn't help. Slot's patient, methodical approach is great and calming when you're winning. It's utterly frustrating to watch when you're losing and desperate for the Reds to chase the game. Perhaps we've become so used to intensity it will take some time to adjust.
There have never been more hospitality tickets at Anfield, though. You can even buy candy-floss inside the stadium now. Is this why Liverpool lost? No. But Anfield has always been one of Liverpool's strengths and the team needs its benefit under Slot, too, and not just in the big games.
'There is no way Alexander-Arnold will be left out'published at 12:04 16 September
12:04 16 September
BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.
Michael asked: Hey Phil, I’m a Liverpool fan. How do you solve the situation with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley? The latter is probably overall a better defender but TAA is a once in a generation talent. So how do you think we make use of both of them?
Phil replied: Actually a nice problem for Arne Slot to have.
There is no way Alexander-Arnold will be left out, he is simply too good and too important. It may be that Bradley, who is a real talent, may just have to wait for his chance until Slot finds a formation where he can utilise both in the way you mention, with Bradley as right-back and Trent Alexander-Arnold more advanced.
He may just decide that is not the way forward – and getting Alexander-Arnold to sign a new contract may help to crystallise his thoughts.
Did you know?published at 12:03 16 September
12:03 16 September
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool have won all three of their Champions League games at AC Milan's Giuseppe Meazza stadium.
The Reds are the only team to play there more than once as a visiting side in the competition while maintaining a 100 per cent record.
Meanwhile, according to the Opta predictor, Liverpool are seventh-favourites to win this season's competition at 4.6 per cent.
Of the 10 teams with the highest probability of lifting the trophy, England are the nation with the most different sides making up that group. Ahead of the Reds, Manchester City rank first (24.9 per cent) and Arsenal rank fourth (6.3 per cent).
A toothless Liverpool performancepublished at 09:10 16 September
09:10 16 September
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
The defeat by Nottingham Forest was one of Liverpool’s tamest attacking performances at Anfield in recent seasons in terms of expected goals (xG - since the start of 2021-22).
While Arne Slot's side had 14 shots, very few of them were good chances. They amounted in total to just 0.87 xG.
Liverpool did still 'win' the game on xG (0.87 v 0.6) - but such low figures meant the match was decided by a moment of quality.
