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Liverpool vs. AC Milan score, highlights, ratings: Jordan Henderson's stunning volley wins Anfield thriller

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Jordan Henderson was Liverpool's match winner in a thrilling Champions League clash with AC Milan, a second half volley ensuring that a topsy turvy five goal thriller at Anfield ended with Jurgen Klopp's side 3-2 winners.

In their first Champions League match for more than seven years, Milan seemed blown away by the occasion and the intensity with which Liverpool attacked them. Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross deflected off Fikayo Tomori to give the hosts a ninth minute lead and when Ismael Bennacer conceded a penalty for a clumsy handball off Andrew Robertson's shot it seemed the writing was on the wall for the Rossoneri.

However Mike Maignan denied Mohamed Salah from the spot and for all Liverpool's dominance the margin remained one goal. That would cost the hosts as before the first half was out their lead became a deficit. Smart interplay around the box saw Rafael Leao slip Ante Rebic in behind for the equaliser. A minute and a half later he was darting up the left channel again, cutting the ball back for Alexis Saelemaekers. Whilst Robertson cleared his shot off the line Brahim Diaz was on hand to tap in the rebound.

Liverpool were still the better team and parity was restored in the 49th minute when Salah burst onto a brilliant pass round the corner by Divock Origi, poking past a flat footed Maignan in a rare error from Milan's outstanding goal.

Against the sheer pressure Liverpool applied on them the visitors could only hold out for so long before one clearance went to the wrong spot, Simon Kjaer diverting a corner to Henderson on the edge of the box. Better finishers than the Liverpool captain would have struggled to get a rising ball on target off the half volley but the hit was perfect, arrowing into the bottom left corner.

Electrifying Liverpool make their mark

It should have been more convincing. What was shaping up to be a statement win ended up being far more draining as defensive issues haunted Liverpool. Both the goals they conceded came from space in behind Alexander-Arnold and on at least one of those occasions Joe Gomez, playing his first competitive game since November 8, could have done more to catch the Milan forward offside.

However, at its best, this Liverpool side -- a mix of seasoned regulars and fringe players such as Origi and Naby Keita -- looked like it would blow away any team in Europe. On the front foot Alexander-Arnold was back to his best and Robertson was no less effective on the other flank. The thrust from the two fullbacks was particularly effective in discombobulating Milan in the early moments.

The press was as energetic as it has been in many a year, particularly in those early stages where Divock Origi offered a welcome reminder of how on these European nights he earned hero status for himself at Anfield. Meanwhile Diogo Jota looks unlikely to ever find himself in a sophomore slump such is his propensity to find shooting opportunities for himself.

Liverpool were up against high tier opposition, the leaders of Serie A no less, but they created more shots for themselves than any other team in the first round of group stage games with 23 and a higher expected goals tally than a Red Bull Salzburg team who had two more penalties than them.

Meanwhile Klopp was able to hold the likes of Sadio Mane, Thiago, Curtis Jones and Virgil van Dijk in reserve, unloading his bench in gaudy fashion. There is real depth to Liverpool, perhaps not in every position, but enough to give the German options to change the tide that he did not really have last season. If you did not already have Liverpool among your favorites for the tournament, it's not too late to change your mind.

Maignan on song for Milan

If AC Milan were to look at their Champions League campaign with a glass half full perspective they may well think that at least they got the worst of it out of the way early doors. Make no mistake, Stefano Pioli's side could go deep into this competition and not face as relentless an examination of their defensive aptitude as Liverpool gave them early on at Anfield.

Even this relatively weakened team had the tenacity at the top of the pitch to press Milan into the ground and the verve in possession to craft a shooting opportunity from any angle. Alexander-Arnold

And Milan came through it, just about. They had plenty to thank Mike Maignan for as the goalkeeper saved a penalty, Diogo Jota's shot from the rebound and a further three efforts on his goal. If the visitors did not have such a top quality goalkeeper between their posts this tie may have been done for them.

It is debatable to what extent Milan really held Liverpool at bay after Salah's missed penalty. They did not have much in the way of territory and were not creating shooting opportunities. Perhaps the hosts just could not keep up their relentless pace from the opening stages. Maybe Tomori's team mates followed the example set for them through his excellent defending. Either way after 11 shots in the first 15 minutes the Reds registered just three more before the interval.

Certainly Milan benefited from Liverpool's intensity dropping down just a fraction. In the build up to their equalizer Diaz was able to drop into midfield, turn and run where previously he would have been pressed back towards his own goal. Rebic's judging of the offside trap was shrewd, his finish excellent.

Pioli's side picked their moment. With Anfield momentarily quelled and Klopp's side tiring they threw caution to the wind, their commitment to get bodies up the pitch rewarded with a second just before the break.

Milan were clearly second best and could have no complaints over this result. But what they have shown in a bruising away game, their first test of the big time in seven years, that even if they struggle they have the fighting spirit to come through the hard moments. They know when to pounce. Those qualities will serve them well in a challenging group.

Liverpool vs. AC MilanPlayer ratings

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GOAL -- A stunner from Henderson

What a game this has been, a brilliant strike from Henderson makes it 3-2. Kjaer clears a corner at the near post but only as far as the Liverpool captain on the edge of the box. The ball is rising as he meets it with his right boot but he gets over it, firing it low into the bottom left. A brilliant strike!

 
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Scary moments for Liverpool

Milan are upping the ante late on. Kjaer gets a flick on a corner at the near post and with Diaz lurking Alisson does well to get hold of the ball. Liverpool just look a little nervy in these closing minutes, passes from the likes of Alexander-Arnold going astray and Oxlade-Chamberlain running into trouble.

 
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GOAL -- Salah draws Liverpool level

A brilliant pass around the corner from Origi. Salah is in behind and flicks it beyond a flat footed Maignan. His 100th game at Anfield has, at last, been marked by a goal.

 

Milan's cause for concern

Maignan is back out for the second half but the goalkeeper did limp out of the first half and reserve goalkeeper Tataranasu is warming up.

Meanwhile Milan have the ball in the net off a corner but the Liverpool defense have jumped up in time to catch Kjaer offside as the ball goes in.

 
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