Liverpool footballer, Slot, expresses joy over his birthday celebration following Liverpool's comeback in the Champions League.
In the opening game of their Champions League title defense, Liverpool demonstrated resilience and strong teamwork under new manager Arne Slot, securing a 3-1 victory over AC Milan in Italy.
The Reds, who are defending Premier League champions, started the 2025–26 season with a new roster due to summer transfers. Slot, who is known for his different principles compared to the team's past methods, faced challenges such as adapting new players after losing key starters and processing the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota in July 2025.
The game, billed as a battle between two European heavyweights with a shared history in the Champions League finals in 2005 and 2007, began with a quick goal from AC Milan's Christian Pulisic just three minutes into the match. However, Liverpool responded swiftly, with Virgil van Dijk scoring his 50th goal in the Champions League, joining Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Makaay as the third Dutch player to do so. This historic goal marked Van Dijk's 50th appearance in the competition.
Ibrahima Konate equalized for Liverpool with a header from Trent Alexander-Arnold's free-kick, and Dominik Szoboszlai secured the opening-game win for the Reds with another goal. The victory was Liverpool's fifth win in their last six away games in the Champions League in Italy.
Despite the early-season Premier League blow, falling down 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at Anfield, Van Dijk expressed satisfaction with the team's bounce-back performance against AC Milan. He also praised the team's set-piece play, particularly Trent Alexander-Arnold's free-kick that led to Ibrahima Konate's goal.
Arne Slot, who celebrated his 46th birthday with the Champions League victory, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly the contributions of the players who came in. He acknowledged the areas for improvement in Liverpool's performance but emphasized the team's strong mentality and resilience.
As the Reds continue their title defense, they will face a challenging campaign across competitions, including the Champions League. For more insights and reactions from the team and their manager, check match reports or Liverpool's official communications shortly after their next Champions League fixture.
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