Liverpool enjoyed a return to the Champions League, recovering from an early goal to beat AC Milan 3-1 at the San Siro.

Arne Slot’s team fell behind within three minutes when Christian Pulisic took advantage of some slack defending from Konstantinos Tsimikas to fire home. Slot got a pleasingly strong response from his side, with the full-backs assisting the centre-backs on a couple of standard goals in the first half. Mohamed Salah also hit the frame of the Milan goal twice and there was some strong ball carrying from Cody Gakpo, who started on the left in place of Luis Diaz.

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan — injured in the first half — only managed a few minutes of the second before being replaced by 19-year-old Lorenzo Torriani, who could do little to stop Liverpool’s third. Dominik Szoboszlai rounded off the dynamic Gakpo’s good work to give Slot’s side three points in perhaps their toughest away game of the new season.

Andy Jones and Mark Carey analyse the match.

Was this Gakpo’s best performance for Liverpool?

Rotation was the main talking point after Liverpool’s defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend. Slot made just two changes to his starting XI against Milan, but Gakpo seized his chance.

Liverpool’s head coach has stuck with the same forward line for his first four league games in charge, but Diaz in particular will be looking over his shoulder after the Dutchman’s impressive performance at San Siro.

Under previous manager Jurgen Klopp, Gakpo was rarely deployed as a left winger, despite it being his preferred position. However, his performances for the Netherlands at the European Championship showed just how much quality he can bring to the position.

(Piero Cruciatti/AFP via Getty Images)

After four consecutive substitutions, Gakpo made a bigger impact from the start. He was dynamic, direct and a constant threat on Liverpool’s left flank, as can be seen on his touch map below.

He worked hard when out of possession, but his possession and creativity were crucial in regaining momentum for his team after a slow start.

He capped his night with a superb assist during a fast Liverpool attack, released by Szoboszlai, hopping past Strahinja Pavlovic and completing the one-two by putting the ball on a plate for his team-mate.

Andy Jones

Who needs attackers?

Reading a description of Liverpool’s first two goals, you’d almost think someone had made a copy-and-paste error.

A floating cross from a full-back, a powerful header from close range from a central defender. Two identical goals.

After seeing their attackers draw 0-0 against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool’s defenders took action to turn the early deficit around, with full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tsimikas providing assists for central defensive duo Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk.

First, Alexander-Arnold provided the perfect cross from the left line for Konate to attack, and, unmarked, he leapt over Fikayo Tomori and in front of Maignan to head home in the 23rd minute.

Just before half-time, a corner from Kostas Tsimikas from the right was headed in by van Dijk. The Liverpool captain evaded defender Tijjani Reijnders and was also in front of Maignan to head in.

(Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The simplest of set pieces, but extremely effective against a non-reactive AC Milan formation. It was apparently an area they had identified and could exploit through accurate delivery and clever movement.

Andy Jones

All praise for the 4-2-4’s battle

Despite all the history surrounding Liverpool’s Champions League clashes with Milan, tonight’s encounter can be remembered as the “battle of the 4-2-4 defensive block.” OK, it might not be the catchiest title, but the approach of both teams without possession was clear from the start.

Milan’s tight 4-2-4 block was designed to prevent Liverpool from advancing through the centre of the pitch, forcing them to move out to the flanks. This worked initially, but Milan were so disciplined in their defensive lines that one simple penetrating ball from Liverpool meant that midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis MacAllister would often pick out good areas between those lines and attack Milan’s defence in one fell swoop.

Liverpool’s 4-2-4 block was also imperfect in the early stages, with Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan often clipping the ball past their pressing forwards and into full-backs Theo Hernandez and Davide Calabria who were in space to attack. Incidentally, this is how the Rossoneri scored their opener after three minutes, sparked by Maignan’s diagonal down the right flank.

(Piero Cruciatti/AFP via Getty Images)

As the game progressed, Liverpool’s defensive approach became more patient. They remained compact, blocking passing lanes and pounced when the opportunity presented itself. The team grew in confidence, with each forward line cautiously pointing to their team-mates to pass to a Milan player as they shuffled around the pitch.

Both sides took the same approach, but in the end it was Liverpool who emerged as the winner.

Mark Carey

What did Arne Slot say?

We bring this to you after he spoke at the post-match press conference.

What’s next for Liverpool?

Saturday September 21: Bournemouth (home), Premier League, 15:00 BST, 10:00 ET

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(Header photo: Getty Images)