MILAN: Liverpool celebrated their return to the Champions League after a year away with a 3-1 win over AC Milan at the San Siro.
Despite a slow start, Arne Slot’s squad secured the three points with goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai.
The clash between the two European giants saw Milan punish Liverpool’s defense with Christian Pulisic’s third-minute goal.
But the visitors began to dominate the game and both Liverpool centre-backs found the target before the break, with Szoboszlai securing victory in the second half.
“A great way to celebrate my birthday. You wouldn’t be able to say this after five minutes, but after that we played well,” said Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who turned 46 yesterday.
Pulisic opened the scoring by sprinting down the right unchallenged and scoring from a difficult angle.
The joy of the home fans did not last long as Liverpool began to dominate the game until the end.
“A shaky start with a goal conceded. But after that, with calmness shown, keep playing, try to find answers, I think it’s very good to see,” said Van Dijk.
Konate equalized in the 23rd minute when he leapt high to head home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick – his first goal in two-and-a-half years.
Captain Van Dijk put Liverpool in front after he headed home Kostas Tsimikas’ corner before the break.
Szoboszlai confirmed the win in the 67th minute by completing Cody Gakpo’s pass.
It was Slot’s first Champions League game with Liverpool since he replaced Jurgen Klopp.
They also managed to make up for the disappointment of the English Premier League after being surprised 1-0 by Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday.
The last time the visiting team came from behind to win the Champions League at San Siro was Liverpool in December 2021.