A historical clash unfolds at Anfield as AC Milan returns to the Champions League after seven years to face Liverpool. The opening game of Group B contains two sides that have won the competition 13 times collectively.
Match Details
When: Wednesday, 15 September/ Thursday, 16 September
Timings: 21:00 (local)/ 00:30 (IST)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
LIV vs MIL Match Preview :
Liverpool has been commendable from the start of their league campaign. Leaving out the draw against Chelsea at Anfield, they have obtained maximum points from the other three games so far. Their inactivity in the transfer window has been a talking point among fans but despite not being the best of squads with depth, the first team had performed admirably. Virgil Van Dijk's return has certainly aided the defense with the return of other regulars from injury has also helped the cause. The disappointment of the previous season is surely gone proven by their classy display in the deposition of Leeds United. Mo Salah continued his impressive start to the campaign with another goal that marked his 100th strike in the Champions League. Fabinho and Sadio Mane got into the scoresheet in the 3-0 win helping Liverpool to climb third on the table. Klopp is now expecting his squad to do better than a quarterfinal finish in the Champions League last season with a tricky group this time out.
AC Milan exceeded everyone's expectations in the season prior by returning to the Champions League after years of dismay and despondency. These talented groups of individuals now want to mask the greats of the club in the competition. Stefano Pioli's men once looked a title challenger at last settling on the second spot ahead of the likes of Juventus and Napoli. The spirit of the fascinating season drove into the new one with Milan claiming wins in the opening three games. The 2-0 win over Lazio in their last game showed precision in their style of play. All of the summer signings par Giroud had their impact. Mike Maignan has been an excellent replacement for Donarumma coming from French champions Lille while Florenzi is on loan from Roma, permanent signings of Tonali and Tomori with future talents Ballo Toure and Yacine Adli secured. The French goal scorer scored a brace on his debut before contracting the virus. They are now eager to do well in Europe.
Recent Form (Last three)
Liverpool: WDW
Milan: WWW
LIV vs MIL Team News :
Teenage star midfielder Harvey Elliot suffered a horrific ankle injury in the game against Leeds on Sunday overshadowed the emphatic performance Liverpool produced. His recovery date is not set but because of the decisive work done by the physios, he is expected to return quicker than the recovery period required for the injuries. It is unclear if he is out for the season at this moment. Elliot has all the support and love from the entire football world. Neco Williams and Roberto Firmino are also out from the clash with the Brazilian yet to recover from his hamstring injury. Diego Jota is expected to begin from the front again while captain Jordan Henderson returns to the midfield. A fully fit Thiago along with Fabinho will be his partner in the midfield.
For Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was gunning to start this highly anticipated match after netting in the 2-0 win over Lazio in Serie A but an Achilles injury in training rules him out completely. The 40-year old's recent injury record has been poor with injuries keeping him out of the Euro squad for Sweden in the summer and the latter half of last season. This means the front four of Florenzi, Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao and Rebic will start once again. Oliver Giroud has recovered from Covid-19 and was present in the San Siro to oversee his side's victory in the weekend. He is poised to make an impact off the bench on his trip back to England. The other injury absentees are Rada Krunic and Tiemoue Bakayoko, a victim of racial abuse from the away support, set to undergo scans.
LIV vs MIL Predicted Lineups :
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Andrew Robertson, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago, Mo Salah, Diego Jota, Sadio Mane
Milan: Mike Maignan; Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori, Simon Kjaer, Theo Hernandez, Frank Kessie, Sandro Tonali, Alessandro Florenzi, Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao, Ante Rebic
Head to Head
Liverpool and Milan have faced only twice in the competition, both on a momentous occasion in the Champions League finals of 2005 and 2007. The former is regarded as one of the best finals ever played in the history of the sport with Liverpool coming from 3-0 down at halftime to make it 3-3. The Reds went on to win it in the resulting penalty shootout. Milan did get their revenge in two years with a more finishing touch to their 2-1 scoreline.
GK: Alisson (LIV)
DEF: Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV), Tomori (MIL), Van Dijk (LIV), Theo Hernandez (MIL)
MID: Frank Kessie (MIL), Fabinho (LIV), Tonali (MIL)
FW: Salah (LIV), Rebic (MIL), Mane (LIV)
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Milan
The gale winds of Liverpool are blowing harder this season with a sense of purpose. And with a fortress of Anfield to savor on the opening night it will turn out to be a difficult return for Milan in the Champions League. The Italians will nevertheless give headaches to the English giant but that won't be enough.
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