Arne Slot hailed Liverpool’s restoration powers because the Reds marked their supervisor’s birthday with a battling Champions League victory over AC Milan.
Liverpool’s return to the competitors after a one-year absence acquired off to a horrible begin as Christian Pulisic fired house simply three minutes into Tuesday’s conflict at San Siro.
Ibrahima Konate swiftly restored parity with a header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick earlier than Virgil van Dijk marked his fiftieth look within the Champions League with a first-half end.
Dominik Szoboszlai made positive of the opening-game win after the break as Milan capitulated to a 3-1 defeat in entrance of their disillusioned house supporters.
Victory ensured Slot celebrated his forty sixth birthday in model, overseeing three factors in his first European sport in control of his new membership.
“A good way to spend my birthday,” the Dutchman mentioned on Amazon Prime.
“We’ve greater than 11 gamers and those that got here in did nicely. You wouldn’t have mentioned this after 5 minutes, however after we did nicely.”
Liverpool have been rocked by an early-season Premier League blow on Saturday, falling down 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at Anfield in a shock outcome.
Former Feyenoord boss Slot was delighted with the response as Liverpool made it 5 wins of their final six away video games in Italy within the Champions League.
“Dropping Saturday was a blow and to be 1-0 down early right here, you’re questioning how we react,” Slot added.
“However should you can play so good it’s – I received’t say a shame – unbelievable you lose to Forest at house should you can play like this [at Milan].”
A win on Arne’s birthday pic.twitter.com/3fPZZkkjlv
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 17, 2024
Van Dijk turned simply the third Dutch participant to attain on his fiftieth look within the competitors, after Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Makaay (each in 2005).
The Liverpool captain lauded his aspect’s capability to bounce again in what was billed as a battle between two European heavyweights, having shared memorable Champions League finals in 2005 and 2007.
“Clearly I’m more than happy with the win and I’m happy with the best way we bounced again after a tough begin,” Van Dijk instructed Sky Italy.
“When there’s a set-piece we attempt to be essential. The supply was excellent for my part. I’m more than happy that we received and we restricted them to solely two huge possibilities.
“We’ve been very profitable through the years and I’m at all times grateful for that. Issues have moved on, the brand new supervisor is right here and he has ideas which can be completely different.
“We’re engaged on issues and there are nonetheless issues to enhance.”