Liverpool tame AC Milan in Champions League 2024-25: Key stats
What's the story
Liverpool turned the screws on AC Milan by winning 3-1 in matchweek 1 of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 season at the San Siro. In what is a revamped 36-team Champions League tournament, the Reds went down early on with a Christian Pulisic goal. Ibrahim Konate equalized for the visitors. Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai scored thereafter to complete the turn around.
1st half
Liverpool go into the break with a 2-1 lead
Pulisic scored in the third minute after Alvaro Morata's assist saw him charge into the box and he fired in a pin-point effort into the far corner. Milan's joy was cut short with Konate getting a big goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross was headed in by the defender. Van Dijk made it 2-1 in the 41st minute from Konstantinos Tsimikas' cross.
Information
1st half match stats
Liverpool made 12 attempts in the first half with six shots on target. Milan had one shot on target from two attempts. Notably, Arne Slot's men had 20 touches in the opposition half. Milan had five such touches. Liverpool had 55% ball possession.
2nd half
How did the 2nd half pan out?
Liverpool saw Cody Gakpo run into space down the left as the Dutchman provided a cross into the middle. There were three Liverpool players waiting and it was Szoboszlai, who got the final contact. Liverpool were in complete control and they enjoyed themselves with Milan being the 2nd-best side all night after the opener. It was a strong performance from the Reds.
Information
Here are the match stats
Liverpool finished with 23 attempts, including 11 shots on target. Milan managed two shots on target from eight attempts. Hosts Milan had 49% ball possession to Liverpool's 51. Liverpool had an 86% pass accuracy as well.
Opta stats
Massive records for the Reds
Liverpool have won five of their last six matches against Italian opponents in all competitions (L1). Liverpool are now the first side to win three games after going behind against Milan in the Champions League. Milan have been beaten in 8 of their last 11 matches against English sides in all competitions. Liverpool have won all four of their UCL games at San Siro.