Liverpool began their Champions League campaign under Arne Slot with three well-deserved points at the San Siro on Tuesday night.
A new structure and a new manager, but the same old Liverpool in Europe’s top competition, as they defeated AC Milan 3-1.
Slot would have been angry and annoyed when his side conceded early on, with ex-Chelsea sensation Christian Pulisic firing home from a tight angle.
However, Liverpool took control of the game after that, scoring twice from set pieces before Dominik Szoboszlai added a third shortly after the hour mark.
Jamie Carragher believes his previous club are ‘early candidates’ to win the title, following their triumph under Jurgen Klopp in beating Tottenham in the Madrid final.
Slot suffered his first setback as manager at the weekend, when Nottingham Forest came out and won three points at Anfield.
When Pulisic wheeled away in celebration, the Liverpool players’ heads could have dropped.
But they remained firm, maintained their conviction in themselves, and then demonstrated the gap between the two titans, with Carragher particularly impressed by one player.
The 2005 Champions League winner praised Ryan Gravenberch’s performance and how he impressed yet again.
Carragher believes the Dutchman, who has made a great start under his fellow countryman, is now a ‘totally different player’ after Klopp’s departure, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (17/09/24 at 10:10 pm).
Ryan Gravenberch helps Liverpool defeat AC Milan.
“It was a huge fixture, in terms of the names,” Carragher remarked. “I don’t believe we are looking at Milan as a squad capable of winning this championship. I believe you would accept that.
“Liverpool hadn’t been in the competition previous season, but given the quality of their roster, they are a genuine threat, so I believe we are witnessing one of the early contenders there.
“This occurs to every new manager and team. They come in and have an impact on a player you may have believed was not good enough or who the previous manager did not particularly like. Gravenberch, I believe, plays in midfield. He seems like a completely different player today under this manager than he did under Jurgen Klopp, which has been a huge bonus for Liverpool.”
Excellent answer from Liverpool.
Some people have already changed their minds about Liverpool, which seems strange given that they only lost one game over the weekend, but they have recovered admirably.
Yes, AC Milan is struggling in Serie A, but there is a noticeable difference in quality between the two, especially when Rafael Leao is removed.
Slot is looking to keep their winning streak going, as they face Bournemouth in the Premier League this weekend, followed by a tough midweek League Cup match against West Ham.
Both of them are playing at home, so while there may be a goal, this is Liverpool’s opportunity to demonstrate their superiority.
