Liverpool – AC Milan: Mentality Monsters Mount Classic Champions League Comeback (3-2)

The reignition of a Champions League classic would grace Anfield’s first packed European crowd in 18 months, and the game lived up to the billing. A swift Liverpool start, rapturous home support, and five goal haul delivered a spectacle in which the hosts dominated but dug deep to secure the three points on the night.

Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere.

AC Milan's trip to Liverpool pitted together two sides steeped in European royalty. Rather apt too then that the first meeting between these outfits in over 14 years would reflect their shared resurgence.

Under Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool have climbed back to the pinnacle of European football, winning the Champions League in 2019.  An injury crisis and a lack of recruits saw the team fall on hard times last year, but they look closer to their best at the start of this campaign. Sitting third in the league table after four games, the hosts aimed to begin their assault on the continental crown with a win here.

Such European glory is still a pipe dream for AC Milan to chase, but Stefano Pioli has placed a sense of pride back in the black and red shirt. His men have made an even better start to the season than the home team, taking nine points from three matches to claim the top spot in Serie A. Back in the Champions League for the first time since 2014, they looked to deliver a performance worthy of the badge . . .