Liverpool and Milan renew historic UCL rivalry

Liverpool are set to kick off their Champions League campaign against AC Milan at the iconic San Siro in what promises to be a thrilling encounter between two European heavyweights.

This clash brings together two of Europe's most successful clubs. Milan, with seven Champions League titles, and Liverpool, with six, have faced off in two memorable finals.

In 2005, Liverpool pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in football history in Istanbul. After going 3-0 down to a star-studded Milan at half-time, Gerrard's men fought back to level the match at 3-3, eventually winning on penalties to claim their fifth European crown. Milan, however, had their revenge two years later. Maldini's side came out on top with a 2-1 result in the 2007 final in Athens, with Filippo Inzaghi's brace sealing their seventh title.

Remarkably, Liverpool have won all three of their Champions League games at the San Siro, maintaining a perfect record at this venue. They've also won four of their last five away games against Italian sides, including a double over Milan in the 2021-22 group stage. The head-to-head record between these sides will make for compelling reading ahead of this fifth European clash, with both clubs having previously met in two finals and two group-stage encounters, each team showing they can deliver on the grand stage.

Meanwhile, Milan are unbeaten in their last four games against English sides in the Champions League (W2 D2), with each of those coming across the previous two seasons (against Spurs and Newcastle). They've never previously managed to avoid defeat in five consecutive games against English opponents in the European Cup/Champions League

Liverpool, under the new management of Arne Slot, have enjoyed a promising start to the season, winning their first three Premier League matches without conceding. However, their momentum was halted in a shock 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield on 14 September, marking their first loss of the season. Slot, who has infused the squad with a fresh energy and tactical flexibility, will be keen to bounce back as the Reds return to the Champions League after a year's absence, having reached the Europa League quarter-finals last season. "We respect AC Milan, but we're not scared. We're here to prove ourselves," Slot remarked, setting the tone for a highly anticipated European campaign.

Meanwhile, Milan enter this clash following a dominant 4-0 victory over Venezia, a much-needed boost for Paulo Fonseca's side after a challenging start to their Serie A campaign. Milan have struggled with consistency, securing just one win from their opening four league matches. Fonseca has stressed the importance of maintaining defensive discipline against Liverpool, acknowledging the strength of the Reds' attack. "We have to be perfect defensively, you cannot make mistakes," Fonseca stated in his pre-match press conference.

Injuries could play a significant role in shaping the contest. Milan will be without several key players, including Ismaël Bennacer, Alessandro Florenzi, and Marco Sportiello. Additionally, Malick Thiaw is sidelined with an ankle injury, reducing Fonseca's defensive options. On the other side, Liverpool have relatively fewer concerns, with Harvey Elliott the only confirmed absentee, although new signing Federico Chiesa is unlikely to start due to a lack of match fitness.

This match also falls within the newly restructured Champions League format, introduced by UEFA to shake up the competition. The traditional group stage has been replaced by a league phase, with 36 teams competing in eight matches against different opponents. This reform was driven by the need for a more unpredictable and exciting tournament, especially at a time when Europe's biggest clubs were considering breaking away to form a Super League. Alisson Becker, Liverpool's goalkeeper, expressed his concern over the increasing number of games in this expanded format. "Sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games," Alisson said ahead of the Champions League opener. "Maybe our opinion doesn't matter, but everybody knows what we think about having more games. Everybody's tired of that." Despite these concerns, the Brazilian shot-stopper remains excited to return to Europe's premier competition, stating, "Playing in the Champions League is one of the reasons I came to Europe. Not playing in it last season was really hard."

The action will kick off on Tuesday with reigning champions Real Madrid hosting VfB Stuttgart, last season's surprise Bundesliga runners-up, as they look to claim a record-extending 16th title. Wednesday brings a rematch of the 2023 final as Manchester City take on Inter Milan, while Thursday's fixtures include a glamour tie between Monaco and Barcelona.

With Liverpool's attacking flair, spearheaded by Mohamed Salah, who thrives in European competitions, and Milan's defensive resilience under Fonseca, this encounter promises high stakes. Both teams are hungry for a strong start in Europe, and with their rich histories, this match is set to deliver another memorable chapter in their long-standing rivalry.