Defensive Masterclass Leads Reds to Victory Over AC Milan
Who says you need forwards to win football matches eh? After the worst kind of start at the San Siro for the reds, Slot’s men rallied well to ensure they started a tough champions league campaign with a convincing win.
Milan had a brief late rally, but the game was already won and truth be told, it could and should have been even more. There was so much to like, be surprised about and to consider as we know head back to Anfield and Bournemouth. We look at the lessons learned from a 3-1 victory against AC Milan.
Photo: IMAGO
Defensive Splendour
In the opening two minutes, Kostas Tsimikas hadn’t switched his brain to out and we were one down early on. However, he did make up for it with an assist for Virgil Van Dijk’s header to put us into a lead. In fact all the back four played a part in the goals, as it was Trent who found Konate for the equaliser in the 23rd minute.
Tsimikas also found the off switch again as he genuinely took one of the worst shots ever seen with his right foot in champions league history. Special mention has to again go to Konate though as the French defender has been excellent this season and was again brilliant in this one. Alisson even came with a brilliant save from Leao late on to ensure he didn’t miss out on the party.
Photo: IMAGO
Attacking Mixture
On another night, Mo Salah could have had a hat-trick but in this one he channeled his inner Darwin Nunez. Two strikes of the woodwork, although one may have been offside if it had gone in stopped him increasing his seasons tally. Diogo Jota was again hugely frustrating and missed a brilliant chance when slipped in by Mac Allister in the first half.
However, the pick of the bunch was clearly Cody Gakpo, who may have been a surprise on the team sheet for some reds. The Dutch winger was electric throughout, regularly going past his man and getting shots or passes in. It was his burst and cross that gave Szoboszlai his goal and Luis Diaz has real competition there.
Photo: IMAGO
Midfield Mastery
They pretty much all played the full 90 minutes, even with an Endo change for Mac Allister in injury time. However, the Argentine was the understudy tonight as his two regular cohorts stole the show. Szoboszlai covered every blade and deserved his goal for his all round efforts, after Slot had challenged his goals record in the press conference.
Ryan Gravenberch was again superb and his block late on was roared like a goal from Van Dijk and Konate. The Dutch midfielder made the most interceptions (six) and the most recoveries (seven) as he continued his superb start to the season. The only worry is they’re playing all the time and anyone coming in is well under-cooked.
