Can't really ask for much more from an away game in Europe - especially when you're going to such an iconic stadium like the San Siro.
Not for the first time in our history, we made an appalling start against AC Milan though. What the F**k we were doing in those first couple of minutes to let them in is beyond me. Really well taken goal by them as well. But then as the game went on, we grew into it and dominated for large parts. Probably took our foot off the pedal for the last ten or fifteen minutes but the game was practically won at that point.
A good start to this year's European Cup though and ultimately it's the results that matter. We've got four games at Anfield, where you always fancy us on any European night. Win those and we're on 15 points, they were saying on commentary that 16 is guaranteed automatic qualification. So yeah we can already feel confident of going into the next round as long as we're professional to get the job done when we are at home.
Alisson - couldn't do anything with the goal and didn't really have much else to do. Wasn't a great night with the ball at his feet. Felt a bit slow to move it on and was almost caught a couple of times.
Alexander-Arnold - not for the first time, he's proven how good a defender he can be against tricky wingers in the European Cup. I don't know much about European footy but I know Leao is meant to be something special, Trent hardly broke sweat dealing with him. One run maybe where he was bettered by the Milan lad. And of course from dead ball situtations we know how good he can be and two assists, one free kick and one corner, showed that. Really impressed by Trent.
Konate - thought he was poor against Forest last week but against Milan he was outstanding, other than the goal where I thought he was a little tentative to get over and block the shot. Sort of stuttered over there. Not that he should have had to cover the entire left hand side but that's another argument. Lovely header for his goal. Kept Milan quiet for the rest of the game. Couple of good blocks in there as well. Immense.
Van Dijk - like his partner beside him, he was immense other than the goal. I've no idea where he was as Milan just carved us open. But after that, your typical flawless display from the skipper. Great header to get his goal. And looked as good as ever.
Tsimikas - again, other than the goal they scored, he didn't do much wrong. What he was doing for the goal is anyone's guess. F***ing nowhere in sight. But grew into it, kept Milan's right hand side quiet for much of it and a good solid 90 minutes in his legs.
Szoboszlai - very, very well taken goal. Wasn't the easiest finish and he done so well with it. But that really all he did do in my eyes that was all that good. Seemed wasteful in possession and still far too indecisive for my liking. Though it's clear me and Arne have different opinions on this as Dom is the one midfielder who always seems to get a full run out.
Gravenberch - first half was probably his worst performance of the season, not because he was bad but more because he wasn't as good as he has been since the season began. Second half though, he started bossing it again and is really making that position his own. We may still look to strengthen in that area come January but so far Grav is looking right at home playing there.
Mac Allister - one thing that can be said for Mac is he gets in the wars. Opposition teams love to kick him to kingdom come, which I think is a credit to how good they know he is when he has the ball at his feet. He wasn't as instrumental as we know he can be but he was good enough. Hasn't quite got going this season but is doing just about enough.
Salah - was a constant threat again, could have easily had another goal to his name if it wasn't for the bar. A motivated Mo is a scary though.
Jota - another game of nothingness from Diogo. And he's been like that for much of the season. I always think of him as a finisher and not much else but the one real chance he had against Milan, like against Forest, he fluffed. It does seem though that Slot doesn't fancy or trust Nunez to lead the line from the start so Jota will start anyway. Gakpo's performance in Italy, albeit from the left, might just give him a shout for starting up top.
Gakpo - as I've just said his performance was boss. Not just the run for Dom's goal but in general he was a threat. I'm not a huge fan of him playing from the left but Tuesday night was the best I've seen him in that position. He looked hungry and had a point to prove. Was gliding past their players all game. Really impressed by Cody.
Diaz - came on and it just seemed that the subs disjointed us a little as we stopped playing as well when they entered the game. Admittedly the game was all but sewn up by that point.
Nunez - basically the same as Lucho above. Although there was a bit more energy from him than when he came on against Forest so that has to be seen as a positive.
Gomez - good to see him get some minutes at last this season. We're gonna need as many players fit as possible if we're to achieve what we're capable of so getting Joey back out there can only help in that regard.
Endo - my cult hero. He came on the pitch and kicked someone. That may not be everybody's cup of tea in the modern game but I love players like that. F**k ability, just as long as you're willing to get stuck in.
Chiesa - like the many hundreds before him, he can now tell everybody that he's played for Liverpool Football Club. No matter how his Liverpool career pans out, he can now claim to have played for the biggest club in the world. And in the European Cup no less.
Overall, a fairly comfortable win away from in Europe and exactly what we needed after the Forest game. Get qualification sorted as easily as possible will help us so winning a tricky game to start the campaign is exactly what David Johnson ordered.
It was a chance for us to show some real character as well after going behind so early on. We could have folded but we didn't. We stood up to the fight and got the win.
So yeah, a really pleasing result on a day when we were reminded once again that football is only a game and there are much more important things than it in life. The tributes to Phil Dooley were touching.
Well in Reds!
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