View: 3/10 dud disappoints, 63% gem makes a statement – Liverpool player ratings v AC Milan
Arne Slot celebrated his birthday in style as Liverpool started their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 win against AC Milan.
Christian Pulisic dealt a hammer blow to the Reds, opening the scoring inside the first three minutes after a quick Milan counterattack.
Ibrahima Konate drew level, scoring his first goal since the 2022 FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City – his header found the back of the net after a well-weighted free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Virgil van Dijk completed the turnaround with another set-piece goal, getting on the end of a Kostas Tsimikas corner to fire past Mike Maignan.
The rout was completed in the second half with Dominik Szoboszlai controlling the ball into an empty net.
Here’s how Liverpool News rated each player out of 10 at San Siro, with all stats from SofaScore.
Liverpool beat AC Milan 3-1
Alisson – 5
Alisson was beaten inside the opening three minutes of the match by Pulisic in his only shot on target faced on the night where he made zero saves. It was another match in which the Brazilian conceded against one shot, albeit there wasn’t much he could have done to prevent Pulisic’s opener.
Trent Alexander-Arnold [off for Joe Gomez 78′] – 7
The 25-year-old was back to his usual self at San Siro and back among the goals recording his first assist of the season for Konate. Trent made four key passes from his 83 per cent completed and was solid defensively with three tackles and one interception. It was a solid performance from the vice-captain.
Ibrahima Konate – 8
Konate was the busier of the two centre-backs and proved to Slot why he has established himself as van Dijk’s partner this season. He had all the answers to the AC Milan attack with one tackle, one interception, five clearances, and won 54 per cent of his duels. One shot on target was all it took for his goal that set Liverpool on their way to an important Champions League victory.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
The captain had little to do following the opening goal, with two clearances all the 33-year-old had to do defensively. He found acres of space in the Milan six-yard box to give Liverpool the lead with his only shot on target and played a huge role in moving his side further up the pitch completing 60 per cent of his long balls.
Kostas Tsimikas – 6
Tsimikas was somewhat culpable for the AC Milan goal, he was nowhere to be seen as Pulisic raced through from the left flank. The Greek made up for it by assisting van Dijk for the Reds’ second and created three key passes, with 92 per cent pass completion, and found teammates with 50 per cent of his crossing attempts. He did, however, waste several opportunities with his four off-target shots but was solid throughout.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
The 22-year-old showed his more offensive capabilities against AC Milan but his defensive display left a lot to be desired. Gravenberch won only 30 per cent of his duels and lost possession seven times. However, he completed 90 per cent of his passes, and made six interceptions in the middle of the park.
Alexis Mac Allister [off for Wataru Endo 91′] – 6
A much quieter outing than the one on the weekend for Mac Allister, it was a night to forget defensively losing 72 per cent of his duels. The Argentine produced to his usual standard in the passing department with three key passes and one big chance created out of his 86 per cent completed.
Cody Gakpo produces statement performance for Liverpool
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
The Hungarian looked more like the player signed from RB Leipzig on Tuesday and was rewarded with a goal for his efforts. Szoboszlai had three shots on target with one goal, made one key pass out of his 80 per cent completed, and won 50 per cent of his duels with a 50 per cent dribble completion rate. Szoboszlai needs to build on this performance in the Premier League.
Mohamed Salah [off for Federico Chiesa 91′] – 6
It was an unfortunate evening for Salah as he came so close to opening the scoring for the Reds with two strikes smashing against the upright. The Egyptian was ever present with two shots on target, 66 per cent completed dribbles, and 78 per cent pass accuracy but couldn’t find his goal on the night.
Diogo Jota [off for Darwin Nunez 68′] – 3
Another match another woeful performance from Jota. The 27-year-old missed two big chances with his two shots and won just 14 per cent of his duels in Italy. It’s hard to imagine a world where Jota continues to get the nod in this Liverpool side after a third consecutive match he has failed to deliver anything noteworthy.
Cody Gakpo [off for Luis Diaz 68′] – 8
That was much more like it from the Dutchman, he has given Slot something to think about with a sensational performance against AC Milan. Gakpo looked the livelier of the Liverpool attackers with two key passes, one big chance created for his assist of the third goal, completed 57 per cent of his dribbles, and won 63 per cent of his duels.
Substitutions:
Luis Diaz – 6
There wasn’t much time for Diaz to make an impact with the game already decided when he entered the pitch but unlike Nunez, he gave a good account for himself. The Colombian completed all 10 of his passes and one out of his two dribble attempts.
Darwin Nunez – 5
Nunez is not making life easier for himself at Anfield and has looked poor in his cameos this season. The Uruguayan had one shot and only nine touches throughout his 22 minutes on the pitch and looks no closer to displacing Jota in the starting lineup.
Joe Gomez – N/A
Federico Chiesa – N/A
Wataru Endo – N/A
In other Liverpool news, Dan Bardell shares transfer verdict on ‘brilliant’ Liverpool player who looks set to leave.
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