Liverpool player ratings vs AC Milan: Destructive defenders Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk lead from the front while Cody Gakpo repays Arne Slot's trust in Champions League comeback

The centre-backs proved too much to handle in the opposition penalty area as the Reds picked up a win at San Siro

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate proved vital at both ends as they guided Liverpool to a 3-1 win against AC Milan in their opening Champions League game of the season on Tuesday.

The Reds found themselves on the backfoot early on as Milan saw a dangerous attack flagged for offside following Van Dijk’s last-gasp clearance. Almost immediately afterwards, Kostas Tsimikas was left hapless to let Christian Pulisic break down the left side, and the United States winger left Van Dijk in his wake before he fired past Alisson.

Liverpool soon grew into the game despite the early shock and looked set to pull level when Mohamed Salah was found in a dangerous position, only to strike the bar, which he did again later in the first half, too. The Reds continued to push and eventually earned a dangerous free-kick that Trent Alexander-Arnold placed onto Konate’s head for the equaliser. From then on, it was all Liverpool and a dangerous attack saw Salah earn a corner which was crossed in for Van Dijk to nod home from close range.

Midway through the second half, Liverpool put the game to bed when Ryan Gravenberch passed to Dominik Szoboszlai, who unleashed Cody Gakpo down the wing. The Dutch winger cut into the Milan box, shook off a challenge and squared for Szoboszlai to finish.

GOAL rates Liverpool’s players from San Siro…

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Goalkeeper & Defence
Alisson (5/10):

Beaten too easily by Pulisic in a shaky game.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):

His free-kick cross was perfectly placed for Konate and caused a lot of trouble for the Milan defence.

Virgil van Dijk (7/10):

Stepped up too soon and fell far behind Pulisic for the opener, but headed his team into the lead.

Ibrahima Konate (8/10):

Got up high to head in the equaliser. Also stood up well to win the ball when Milan came through the middle

Kostas Tsimikas (5/10):

A horrific decision from him sparked the move for Milan’s goal, but he did set up Van Dijk’s goal.
- AFP
  
  Midfield
  
  Ryan Gravenberch (7/10):
  
  Fought for the ball and used it well. Still blossoming under Slot.
  
  Dominik Szoboszlai (7/10):
  
  Slowed Liverpool’s attacks a few times until his tidy combination with Gakpo to make it 3-1.
  
  Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):
  
  Did his best to open up Milan’s midfield with quick passes, but went missing at times.
  - Getty Images Sport
    
    Attack
    
    Mohamed Salah (7/10):
    
    Smacked the crossbar twice in the first half and was a huge threat.
    
    Diogo Jota (6/10):
    
    Looked capable of causing trouble but saw one effort miss the target and set Salah up well.
    
    Cody Gakpo (8/10):
    
    A danger all round! He tested Maignan in goal and made some dangerous passes before he drove through Milan’s half to tee up Szoboszlai’s goal.
  - AFP
    
    Subs & Manager
    
    Darwin Nunez (5/10):
    
    Didn’t offer enough after coming on for the last 20 minutes.
    
    Luis Diaz (6/10):
    
    Attempted to break free down the wing but couldn’t create much.
    
    Joe Gomez (6/10):
    
    Slotted in well as Milan tried to fight back.
    
    Wataru Endo (N/A):
    
    On in stoppage-time.
    
    Federico Chiesa (N/A):
    
    Stoppage-time substitution.
    
    Arne Slot (8/10):
    
    Set his team up well to take charge despite the early surprise and once they had control, they didn’t let it go.