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THURSDAY | SEP 19, 2024

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Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk (centre) scores their second goal during the Uefa Champions League match against AC Milan yesterday. – REUTERSPIX

Perfect present for Slot for Slot Victory over Milan more important than birthday, says Liverpool boss

L IVERPOOL head coach Arne Slot insists opening their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 victory over AC Milan was more important than his birthday. The game coincided with the Dutchman turning 46 but the focus was getting his first European campaign off to a winning start. They achieved that with goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai after conceding early on to Christian Pulisic. “I said a few times, normally you celebrate your birthday with your friends and family but this was a real good alternative to play against a special club for Liverpool and a special club for Dutch people,” said Slot, who was pleased they bounced back so well from Saturday’s shock defeat to Nottingham Forest. “The way we won it, 1-0 down after

their team to “show some b*lls”, met a thoroughly deserved defeat. Milan coach Paulo Fonseca admitted once they conceded the equaliser the game started to get away from them. “I don’t think we lacked the right attitude,” he said. “I believe we started well but, after conceding, the team lost balance and started making mistakes, which are decisive against a team like Liverpool. I have to say that Liverpool were better.” Pulisic said Milan will be looking for an immediate response against derby rivals Inter at the weekend. “It’s a difficult start for us and we have to change things,” he told Sky Sport Italy . “Of course it (the derby) is a big match for us,” he said. “We need to turn things around. We have a big opportunity to do that.” – The Independent/AFP

Jota wasted a great chance seconds after Konate’s leveller and Salah smacked another shot off the bar on the half-hour mark. Things got even worse for the home team in the 51st minute when Maignan, who had already dropped to the ground in pain twice during the first half, limped off after being clattered by Fikayo Tomori as the England defender desperately tried to stop Jota from extending Liverpool’s lead. Maignan was replaced by teenager Lorenzo Torriani and the rookie could only look on in the 67th minute as Szoboszlai bundled home Cody Gakpo’s teasing cross after the Netherlands forward eased past sluggish Strahinja Pavlovic. Disappointed Milan fans began streaming towards the exit long before the final whistle, after which a deluge of whistles and boos, and loud chants for

the hosts tore straight into Liverpool, Van Dijk desperately clearing Tijjani Reijnders low cross. And Pulisic quickly had Milan ahead with his super low finish, punishing Liverpool’s dawdling defence after being brilliantly sent scurrying towards goal by Alvaro Morata at the end of a move which was started by keeper Mike Maignan. Liverpool quickly responded however and were unlucky in the 16th minute when Mo Salah smashed an effort with his weaker right foot off the crossbar. And the away side, whose pressing had started to force Milan into giving the ball away cheaply, were level when Konate nodded home Trent Alexander Arnold’s floated free-kick. With the Reds taking control, Milan should have been behind before Van Dijk nodded Liverpool ahead, as Diogo

five minutes with Forest in our head was very good to see. The way the players took the game in their hands to win it 3-1. “I think we were a bit disappointed with the Forest result, getting eight corners and not scoring. “We felt with all the work we put in for set-pieces someone would get their reward. We were comfortable on the ball, hit the bar in open play, so we needed set-pieces.” Slot was also happy with the way his side recovered from conceding early. “In the first four or five minutes we lost the ball in choices which were not good to make and they could counter attack,” he added. “But afterwards we dominated possession more and it didn’t lead to counter-attacks.” Milan fans put up a giant display which read “fearless” before kickoff and

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