Liverpool overcome early wobble to see off tame AC Milan

Liverpool marked their return to the Champions League with a convincing 3-1 victory over AC Milan as head coach Arne Slot produced a strong response to questions over his selection policy.

Goals from centre-backs Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk overturned Christian Pulisic's third-minute opener for the hosts and Dominik Szoboszlai’s first club goal since March secured the result midway through the second half.

FULL MATCH DETAILS

The unfortunate Mohamed Salah hit the crossbar twice in the opening 45 minutes but it was one of the players Slot brought in – fellow Dutchman Cody Gakpo – who caught the eye.

After suggestions a virtually unchanged side this season looked jaded in the shock defeat to Nottingham Forest, Slot made just two alterations – but while Gakpo fully justified his inclusion ahead of Luis Diaz, Kostas Tsimikas still has some way to go to challenge left-back Andy Robertson for his regular place.

And while much has been made of how Slot wants to pass opponents into submission with a more patient approach, Liverpool’s biggest weapon in San Siro was set-pieces.

In Van Dijk and Konate they have two defenders who are good in the air and the latter powered home a header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inswinging free-kick midway through the first half.

Defender Strahinja Pavlovic was culpable for the second goal as he lost touch with Van Dijk, who casually nodded in Tsimikas’ corner from the right flank.

It was no more than Liverpool deserved after a shaky start and it was fitting Gakpo got the assist for their third.

Before kick-off representatives of both clubs placed flowers on the seat of Liverpool fan Philip Dooley, who died in a road accident in nearby Bergamo in the early hours, and Slot and his players wore