Liverpool began life under Arne Slot in the Champions League with three deserved points at the San Siro on Tuesday night.
A new format and a new manager, but the same old Liverpool in Europe’s elite competition, as they eased to a 3-1 win over AC Milan.
Slot would have been frustrated and annoyed when his side conceded very early when ex-Chelsea star Christian Pulisic fired home from a tight angle.
But Liverpool managed to control the game from then on, with two set-piece goals, before Dominik Szoboszlai added a third just after the hour mark.
Jamie Carragher thinks his former side are ‘early contenders’ to win the whole thing, after being successful under Jurgen Klopp when they beat Tottenham in the final in Madrid.
Slot tasted his first defeat as manager at the weekend when Nottingham Forest rocked up and secured three points at Anfield.
When Pulisic was wheeling away in celebration, the Liverpool players’ heads could have easily dropped.
But they stood firm, kept belief in themselves and then showcased the gulf between the two giants, with Carragher impressed with one player, in particular.
The 2005 Champions League winner highlighted Ryan Gravenberch’s performance and how he impressed once again.
Carragher thinks the Dutchman, who has made a strong start under his fellow countryman, looks like a ‘completely different player’ now that Klopp has gone, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (17/09/24 at 10:10 pm).
Ryan Gravenberch helps Liverpool beat AC Milan
“It was a huge fixture, in terms of the names,” said Carragher. “I don’t think we are looking at Milan as a team that could probably win this competition. I think you would accept that.
“Liverpool hadn’t been in the competition last season, would come into it and the quality they have in the squad, they are a genuine challenger, so I think we are seeing one of the early contenders there.
“This happens with every new manager and every team. They come on and have an effect on a player who you maybe thought was not good enough or the last manager didn’t really like. I think that player is Gravenberch in midfield. He looks a completely different player now under this manager than he did under Jurgen Klopp, so that has been a real plus for Liverpool.”
Great response from Liverpool
Some have already changed their mind about Liverpool, which seems crazy because it was only one defeat at the weekend, but they have bounced back in style.
Yes, AC Milan are struggling in Serie A, but you can see the gulf in quality between the two, especially if you take away Rafael Leao’s magic.
READ MORE: Liverpool told ‘massive’ Virgil van Dijk news is what the Premier League needs
For Slot, it’s about keeping that winning feeling going, they take on Bournemouth at the weekend, before a tricky midweek League Cup clash against West Ham.
Both of them are on home soil, so whilst there might be a goal in it, this is Liverpool’s chance to further express their dominance.
The post 'A completely different player': Jamie Carragher left stunned by Liverpool star after win over AC Milan appeared first on HITC.
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