Thirteen titles, two finals and a host of memorable moments between them, Liverpool and Milan tussle each other only for the third time in history – with their last two clashes coming in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League Final respectively.
Group B makes up one of the deadliest groups in the competition, with Portuguese giants Porto and Spanish title holders Atletico Madrid in contention for a Round of 16 spot.
The Reds and the Rossoneri will lock horns at Anfield for the first time ever in what is expected to be an epic encounter.
Preview
Liverpool have emerged undefeated in their Premier League season so far (W3, D1) – conceding just once and scoring 8 in the process. Their latest outing arrived at Elland Road against Leeds United, a convincing 3-0 victory.
However, the club’s major headline is one of disappointment after 18-year-old Harvey Elliott suffered a horrendous ankle-dislocating injury during the match.
With Mohamed Salah’s 100th Premier League goal coming over the weekend and Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota in good form, the Reds possess an attacking punch like few other clubs.
The same can be said for Stefano Pioli’s Milan, who ousted Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio side 2-0 at San Siro on Sunday. Having played three matches in Serie A so far, the Rossoneri are only one of the three teams with a 100% win record – the others being Roma and Napoli.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s presence will boost the team, who are increasingly looking like a well-gelled outfit as weeks pass by.
This season will mark the Rossoneri’s return to the highest continental stage after an eight year absence. Although they did manage to play in the Europa League during the past decade, with 7 UEFA Champions League titles in their arsenal, the Rossoneri are back where they belong.
Having claimed just one win from thirteen encounters against English opponents, Milan should look sharper than ever to keep Jurgen Klopp’s free-scoring Liverpool at bay.
Previous Results
Liverpool – W, W, D, W
Milan – W, W, W
Expected Lineups and Team News
Liverpool
In the absence of Roberto Firmino through injury, Jota is expected to lead the line once more alongside Mane and Salah, and ahead of midfield trio Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago. Alisson is the main man in goal, as always, behind the back four of Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk and Robertson.
Harvey Elliott is out for a long time after the horror injury on the weekend. Neco Williams is the only other absentee for the Reds
4-3-3 – Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Mane
Milan
Pioli’s standard formation will see a one man strike force of Olivier Giroud, being fed by an attacking three of Brahim Diaz, Saelemaekers and Leao. The central midfield is bound to manned by regulars Sandro Tonali and Franck Kessié, ahead of Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli and Theo Hernandez. Mike Maignan is the guardian at the back.
Rade Krunic and Tiemoue Bakayoko remain in question for the match. Ibrahimovic is out due to an Achilles injury.
4-2-3-1 – Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Kessié, Tonali; Rafael Leao, Brahim Diaz, Saelemaekers; Giroud
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Milan
Milan are stronger than ever and possess great potential to upset the odds but Liverpool’s Anfield advantage is bound to prove fruitful.
A tightly contested match is expected to play out and we might just witness the Reds to edge out Ibrahimovic-less Rossoneri.