AC Milan vs Liverpool is shaping up to be a significant encounter as Arne Slot, Liverpool’s new manager, has named a particularly strong side for their opening UEFA Champions League clash. Slot, eager to begin his European campaign with a victory, has made calculated adjustments to the lineup, signaling his intent to set a positive tone in this prestigious competition.
In his selection, Slot has opted for a few changes compared to the lineup that suffered a defeat to Nottingham Forest over the weekend. Notably, Kostas Tsimikas replaces Andy Robertson, providing fresh energy on the left flank, while Cody Gakpo steps in for Luis Diaz, adding a dynamic presence to the attack. These changes reflect Slot’s desire to balance consistency with fresh legs as Liverpool embarks on its European journey. Slot had previously maintained the same starting XI for the first four matches of the season, so these adjustments mark a new chapter in his tactical approach.
One glaring absence from the squad, however, is Harvey Elliott. The talented youngster, who had been patiently awaiting his opportunity after failing to start the first three games of the season, has suffered a major setback. Elliott sustained a fractured ankle during his duty with the England under-21 squad, an injury that is expected to sideline him for at least a month. This injury comes at a frustrating time for both Elliott and Liverpool, as the player had shown great promise, making 53 appearances in all competitions last season. His contributions in the Europa League were particularly notable, where he started eight of their 10 matches before they were eliminated by Atalanta in the quarter-finals. Elliott’s absence from the Champions League squad is a blow, considering his nine previous appearances in the competition and his two goals at this level.
Alongside Elliott, two other young players, James McConnell and Jayden Danns, are also missing from the matchday squad. Both players, who have shown promise in Liverpool’s youth setup, will not be part of the action in this Champions League opener. Fans were also keen to see youngster Trey Nyoni, who has been making waves in the youth ranks and was previously pictured in a Liverpool Champions League kit photoshoot. However, Nyoni was left out of the 12 substitutes for this match and instead captained the Liverpool U19 side in their UEFA Youth League fixture against AC Milan’s U19 team. That match ended in a goalless draw, with Nyoni facing off against a notable opponent in Maximilian Ibrahimović, the son of Zlatan Ibrahimović, as the Italians dominated much of the game.
This fixture also holds historical significance for Liverpool, particularly when it comes to their encounters with AC Milan in the Champions League. Since their infamous defeat to Milan in the 2007 Champions League final, the two teams have met only twice in competitive action. Those meetings came during the 2021/22 group stage, a campaign in which Liverpool excelled in what was widely regarded as the “group of death.” This group also featured strong sides like Porto and Atletico Madrid, but Liverpool triumphed, winning the group with notable victories over Milan. A memorable 2-1 win at the San Siro saw Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi find the back of the net, in a match where lesser-known players such as Nat Phillips, Tyler Morton, and Takumi Minamino also played key roles. This game serves as a reminder of Liverpool’s resilience in Europe, even when fielding a somewhat rotated squad.
As Liverpool and AC Milan prepare to renew their rivalry, fans are eager to see how Slot’s new-look side fares against the Italian giants. The absence of key players like Harvey Elliott, combined with the inclusion of fresh faces such as Tsimikas and Gakpo, adds an extra layer of intrigue to this match. Both teams will be looking to make a strong start in the Champions League, with Liverpool aiming to assert their dominance in a competition that holds a special place in their history.