Liverpool celebrated their return to the Champions League after a year’s absence with a 3-1 win over AC Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday, having made up for a slow start with goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Liverpool started the battle between the two European heavyweights poorly when Christian Pulisic put Milan ahead in the third minute after a quick counter, aided by Liverpool’s disorganised defence.

The six-time champions turned the tide, however, and dominated for much of the match. In the 23rd minute, Konate equalised by leaping high over a group of defenders to head home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free kick.

Skipper Van Dijk put Liverpool ahead to the delight of some 4,400 travelling fans when he headed in a Kostas Tsimikas corner just before half-time. Szoboszlai secured victory in the 67th minute when he fired home a cross from Cody Gakpo after Milan had given the ball away.

It was the first Champions League match for manager Arne Slot as coach of the Merseyside club since replacing Juergen Klopp, and his team responded brilliantly after a surprise 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.