AC Milan took an early lead on the first shot of the game, but Liverpool responded by scoring the next three goals to win 3-1 at the San Siro and start the new UEFA Champions League group phase with three points.
[ MORE: UEFA Champions League hub — Format, schedule, more ]
Milan’s brilliant start quickly gave way to more of the same from Liverpool — lots on controlled possession, threats from set-pieces, and more shots attempted in either half than the Rossoneri had all game.
- Shots: 23-8
- xG: 2.77-0.54
- Big chances: 5-0
Ibrahima Konate made it 1-1 when he headed home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner kick in the 23rd minute, and Virgil van Dijk did the same when Kostas Tsimikas whipped one in in the 41st. That probably would have been enough for three points as Milan didn’t attempt a shot in the second half until the 74th minute, but Dominik Szoboszlai added one more in the 67th just to be safe.
Christian Pulisic on the left, the right and through the middle
Christian Pulisic put Milan ahead in the 3rd minute, when he got in behind the Liverpool defense and dribbled the ball nearly 40 yards upfield, deep into the Reds’ 18-yard box. The USMNT captain fired from a wide angle and somehow found a window past Alisson through which to tuck the ball inside the far post.
Pulisic played on the right side of Paulo Fonseca’s 4-2-3-1 formation and scored for the third time already (2 goals, 2 assists in four Serie A games), but he has also featured on the left wing and through the middle for Milan this season. The same thing happened when he was at Chelsea, but it never seemed to benefit Pulisic (or the team, for that matter). Sure, we (probably) already know where he’ll play for Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT, but it is encouraging nonetheless to see him thriving all over the field for a scudetto contender.. The USMNT is set to face Panama (Oct. 12) and Mexico (Oct. 15) during next month’s international break.
Player ratings - AC Milan vs Liverpool
AC Milan vs Liverpool updates - by Andy Edwards
AC Milan vs Liverpool final score: 1-3
Goalscorers: Christian Pulisic (3'), Ibrahima Konate (23'), Virgil van Dijk (41'), Dominik Szoboszlai (67')
GOAL! AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool: Dominik Szoboszlai turns home Cody Gakpo’s cross
Dominik Szoboszlai scores his first #UCL goal for Liverpool on his 50th appearance for the reds 🔴
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 17, 2024
Milestones 🫡 pic.twitter.com/mKNZ1JUqEP
GOAL! AC Milan 1-2 Liveprool: Virgil van Dijk heads home Kostas Tsimikas’ corner kick
TWO SET PIECES. TWO CENTER BACKS. TWO GOALS.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 17, 2024
Liverpool's defenders making moves in the San Siro 🥶 pic.twitter.com/oaP7VOsAPB
GOAL! AC Milan 1-1 Liverpool: Trent Alexander-Arnold finds Ibrahima Konate with a fantastic corner kick
Ibrahima Konaté bags Liverpool's first #UCL goal under Arne Slot 🎯 pic.twitter.com/5DfcG98Bst
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 17, 2024
GOAL! AC Milan 1-0 Liverpool: USMNT captain Christian Pulisic slots the opener past Alisson
That’s nine Champions League goals for Pulisic, the most ever scored by an American player.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC STRIKES TO SEND THE SAN SIRO INTO A FRENZY! 🔥
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 17, 2024
What a start for Milan ⚡🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/IsBa7UBfei
Liverpool starting lineup
Alisson - Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas - Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai - Salah, Gakpo, Jota
AC Milan starting lineup
Maignan - Calabria, Pavlovic, Tomori, Hernandez - Fofana, Loftus-Cheek, Reijnders - Pulisic, Leao, Morata
How to watch AC Milan vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Tuesday
Venue: San Siro in Milan, Italy
How to watch: Stream on Paramount+ and TUDN USA
AC Milan focus, team news
Milan could get right back Davide Calabria back from a knock, but Alessandro Florenzi and Ismael Bennacer are still out with long-term injuries and Marco Sportiello and Malick Thiaw should miss out, too.
Liverpool focus, team news
Liverpool only have two injury concerns. Harvey Elliott will miss out with his ankle injury, but Federico Chiesa could be available.
AC Milan vs Liverpool prediction
Liverpool are the bookmakers’ favorites to get a win here. Both the Reds and the Rossoneri are going to get their first proper depth test of the season, and Liverpool’s comes with a does of inter-continental travel. It’s all asking a lot, especially given Liverpool’s lack of midfield rotation. AC Milan 1-1 Liverpool.