Liverpool, fortunately, shouldn’t have lengthy to dwell on their weekend to neglect as their Champions League marketing campaign will get underway in Milan on Tuesday night.
AC Milan vs. Liverpool
Champions League (1) | San Siro
September 17, 2024 | 8pm (BST)
After counting down the times for Liverpool to return from the worldwide break, we didn’t get the efficiency or outcome we had hoped for in opposition to Nottingham Forest.
A response, the primary underneath Arne Slot, is required because the Reds return to Champions League motion. Right here is all the pieces you have to know.
1. No new damage issues
Slot’s squad educated as regular on the AXA on Monday afternoon and, fortunately, there have been no new damage issues to depart him with loads of decisions.
Harvey Elliott was the one absentee with a fractured foot as 24 of his teammates obtained their preparations underway for the journey to Italy.
That coaching group dwindled by one as 23 gamers have been named within the travelling squad.
Federico Chiesa can be on the bench, and Slot hinted his first minutes for the membership are on the playing cards.
2. Time for rotation
Absolutely Slot makes adjustments for this one, proper? He wasted the chance to do in opposition to Forest and with solely 72 hours between video games, a little bit of rotation needs to be on the playing cards.
You possibly can make an argument for almost all the outfield gamers to be shuffled round, however 4 will be the magic quantity on this event.
Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez would all inject contemporary legs into the XI and are greater than able to getting the job finished. Some huge image pondering is required from Slot.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Diaz, Nunez
3. Let’s speak about kind…
Liverpool began the season strongly with three wins on the spin with out conceding, however they have been introduced again right down to earth on Saturday in a 1-0 loss to Forest.
Slot lamented his facet’s ball possession was “not of the requirements” he’s come to count on within the Anfield defeat, that means his facet are poised for a response.
Milan, in the meantime, obtained their first win of the season on Saturday and wanted solely 29 minutes to wrap it up, scoring 4 objectives with out reply. They now have 5 factors after two earlier attracts and a defeat.
Accidents to key gamers have hindered Paulo Fonseca’s facet and the Reds will hope they’ll capitalise on Milan’s inconsistent begin.
LFC (final 4): L-W-W-W
Milan: W-D-L-D
4. That is Slot’s third season within the Champions League
Whereas this fixture can be Slot’s European debut as Liverpool head coach, he has twice led a group on this competitors – although solely as soon as within the group stage.
In 2020/21, AZ Alkmaar have been crushed within the qualifiers and final season his Feyenoord group completed third of their group and dropped into the Europa League play-off spherical.
Solely Gerard Houllier – at Celta Vigo in November 1998 – has misplaced his first European sport accountable for the Reds. Let’s maintain it that approach!
5. No Origi reunion
Divock Origi is on Milan’s books however he’ll take no half having been demoted to the reserve group, a switch was anticipated this summer time however no transfer eventuated.
The striker signed for the Italian facet in 2022 however he has by no means settled and should accept being a bystander as his former membership come to city. An actual disgrace!
As for different group information for the hosts, they’re with out Ismael Bennacer, Alessandro Florenzi and Marco Sportiello, whereas defenders Malick Thiaw and Davide Calabria are each unsure.
Milan have their derby on the weekend so that might give Fonseca some choice complications.
Potential Milan XI: Maignan; Emerson, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Reijnders, Fofana, Loftus-Cheek; Pulisic, Abraham, Leao
6. 4,000 Reds on the San Siro
For the primary away sport within the competitors, Liverpool obtained an allocation of 4,395 tickets, which accounts for lower than six p.c of the stadium’s capability.
The San Siro can home 75,923 spectators, however early indications are that the Reds’ travelling followers will definitely be heard all through the night as Milan are struggling to promote tickets.
Current kind and ridiculous ticket costs – which vary from €349 (£294) to €59 (£49) – are responsible for round 20,000 tickets nonetheless being on sale.
For instance, a ticket within the ‘Secondo Rosso’ part – equal to the Higher Predominant Stand – prices €139 (£117) a chunk in opposition to Liverpool, however for his or her subsequent Serie A match it’s €59 (£49).
Ticket costs and methods are spiralling uncontrolled.
7. ‘Rotation to not blame for Forest defeat’
Talking in Milan on the eve of the conflict, Slot spoke on the problem on everybody’s lips. Rotation:
“For me, and everybody can have their very own opinion, it’s too easy to place this loss on rotation as a result of I believe too many gamers didn’t attain their regular stage.
“That’s not solely those that began but additionally those that got here in [off the bench.]
“For me, it had quite a bit to do with the taking part in model of the opponent, who made it actually tough for us. However, ultimately, in the event you didn’t win, you attempt to have a look at as many arguments as you’ll find.
8. Do you know?
Darwin Nunez has netted 9 instances in his 18 video games in Europe for the membership, and a purpose in opposition to Milan would see him attain 10 European objectives within the fifth fewest variety of video games in membership historical past.
Solely Sadio Mane (13), Mo Salah (13), Robbie Fowler (16), and Roger Hunt (18) have reached double figures in fewer than 20 matches.
We now have not seen a lot of Darwin this season, however it could be perfect if he declares himself right here ought to he be given the possibility.
9. It’s a new ref for the Reds
There isn’t any earlier with the referee for this match as Espen Eskas (Norway) has by no means overseen a sport involving Liverpool or AC Milan.
He refereed video games within the Olympics this summer time, and this can be solely his fifth sport accountable for a Champions League fixture from the group/league stage onward.
10. Observe the match with TIA!
If you’re within the UK, let’s hope you could have the infinite variety of subscriptions as Milan vs. Liverpool can be proven stay on Amazon Prime Video from 6.30pm (BST), with kick off at 8pm.
In the event you’re questioning why it isn’t on TNT Sports activities, we defined the new TV deal right here.
As at all times, in the event you want biased commentary than TIA’s matchday liveblog is the place to be. Henry Jackson can be retaining you knowledgeable and entertained from 7.15pm.
Into these, Reds!
