AC Milan 1-2 Liverpool (Tomori 29′ | Salah 36′, Origi 55′)
A much-changed Liverpool side had too much for AC Milan with goals from Mo Salah and Divock Origi ensuring that Jurgen Klopp’s side completed their Champions League group stage with a 100 per cent winning record.
With qualification to the last-16 secured, Klopp made eight changes from the team that beat Wolves at the weekend, with Alisson, Salah and Sadio Mane the only players to retain their places. Teenage midfielder Tyler Morton was handed his first Champions League start, while Nat Phillips came in for only his third appearance of the campaign. Origi led the line following his heroics at Molineux.
Fikayo Tomori was on hand to fire Milan in front after Alisson had initially kept Alessio Romagnoli’s goal-bound flick on the line. The Serie A side’s lead lasted just seven minutes, though, as Salah expertly controlled a half-volley into the roof of the net after Mike Maignan’s had parried Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s shot into his path. It was the Egyptian’s 20th goal of the season in his 21st appearance.
Liverpool went in front 10 minutes after the restart when Origi headed into the top corner after Maignan had made an unconventional save from Mane. Remarkably, it was the Belgian’s first goal in the competition since scoring in the 2019 final against Spurs.
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Considering Milan had to win to stand a chance of reaching the last-16 stage, it was a desperately disappointing performance from the hosts. Atletico Madrid will join Liverpool in the knockout rounds, while Porto will drop into the Europa League. Milan, meanwhile, will have to wait until next season for another crack at European football.
Liverpool player ratings
Alisson: Could do little to prevent Tomori’s opener after showing fine reflexes to deny Romagnoli. Made a big stop to deny Kessie’s attempted chip late on. Would have expected to have more to do on his 150th appearance for Liverpool 7
Neco Williams: Didn’t make much of an impact at right-back and intriguingly was shifted into a more attacking role after Salah was withdrawn. A possible audition for when the Egyptian is away at the Africa Cup of Nations next month, perhaps? 6
Nat Phillips: Considering his inexperience at this level and lack of minutes this season, he marshalled Ibrahimovic superbly. Composure personified when turning out of trouble inside his own area as two Milan players descended on him 8
Ibrahima Konate: Didn’t look fazed by being handed the unenviable task of replacing Virgil Van Dijk in Liverpool’s backline. A dominant display from the towering Frenchman 8
Konstantinos Tsimikas: Another steady performance to add to the collection. Had more touches than any other Liverpool player on the night 7
Tyler Morton: Klopp insisted that Morton was “ready” for this stage before the game and his confidence was well placed with the youngster looking assured in the middle of the pitch. Completed 38 of his 45 attempted passes 7
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Excelled during the recent destruction of Arsenal and was in top form once more in a right-sided centre-midfield role. His nimble footwork and ferocious shot led to Salah’s opener 8
Takumi Minamino: Played in a deeper role than usual on the left of the midfield three and despite some silky touches didn’t have too much of an influence 6
Mo Salah: Made a difficult finish look anything but, as he has done all season. Surprisingly named in the starting line-up, Salah was taken off after 64 minutes with the weekend’s game against Aston Villa in mind 8
Sadio Mane: The only member of the front three to not get on the scoresheet, but a constant thorn in Milan’s side throughout. Made way at the same time as Salah 7
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Divock Origi: Continued where he left off at the weekend by heading Liverpool in front in the second half. His form has come at an opportune time for Klopp with the Africa Cup of Nations looming 8
Subs:
Joe Gomez: Given some much-needed minutes at right-back 6
Naby Keita: As above, Keita had 25 minutes to build his fitness up 6
Fabinho: Brought on for Origi late on 6
Max Woltman: Stoppage time debut N/A
Conor Bradley: Stoppage time debut N/A
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3y2Spq5
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