Group B: Liverpool vs AC Milan
UEFA Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 15 September 2021
Location: Anfield
Kick-off: 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET

Champions League football returns to a packed Anfield on Wednesday evening when Liverpool of the English Premier League host Italian Serie A side AC Milan.

The Reds surrendered their Premier League and Champions League crowns last season almost without a fight with Man City and Chelsea, the new champions.

The fightback starts here as the locals aim to prove they are back by claiming a major scalp. Inter Milan v Real Madrid Prediction: Champions League Match on 15.09.2021 To get off to the perfect start and bank all three points, Liverpool must see off a talented opponent in AC Milan who hold their own hopes and ambitions of progressing.

The visitors want to get something out of this match and go on to secure their passage through the group and into the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.

They could lose this opener and still achieve that but claiming a point or better would help breed confidence in the ranks. Liverpool and AC Milan have met in competitive action twice before, with the Italians unbeaten in both previous contests over 90 minutes, but one was a stunning Reds win on penalties.

Those matches came in the Champions League finals in 2005 and 2007. The first was that famous 3-3 draw that went to penalties which Liverpool won 3-2, but Milan got their revenge when winning the second meeting by a 2-1 score.

Liverpool vs AC Milan Head to head

Liverpool vs AC Milan Prediction

A full Anfield will be in full voice as two giants of European football collide in Group B.

Both teams have made excellent starts to the new campaign domestically, with Liverpool having picked up 10 points from a possible 12 in the Premier League, whilst AC Milan have won all three of their Serie A fixtures.

Liverpool however, will rightly enter this one as favourites with home advantage in their favour and star defender Virgil van Dijk back in the starting line-up.

The centre-back missed the entirety of last season’s Champions League through injury and his return significantly strengthens Jurgen Klopp’s side defensively, putting them in a good position to cope with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the AC Milan side.

Combine this with Liverpool’s irresistible front three that have so often taken their opponents apart in Europe and the hosts are expected to record three points to open their account in Group B.

Liverpool vs AC Milan Team News

Liverpool

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Neco Williams are still injured and will miss this game. Harvey Elliott suffered a long-term injury against Leeds United on Sunday and will be unavailable for selection as well. Minamino was spotted practising after suffering a thigh injury and will be contending for a spot on the team on Wednesday night.

AC Milan

Olivier Giroud’s rehabilitation from COVID-19 is improving, and he might be ready for this game. Tiemoue Bakayoko suffered an injury against Lazio last week and may not be taking the field. Zlatan Ibrahimovic too is out is after suffering from Achilles tendon inflammation while Rade Krunic will also miss out due to a calf injury.

LIV vs MIL Probable Playing XI

Liverpool Probable Playing XI: Alisson Becker(GK), Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Andrew Robertson, Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota.

A.C. Milan Probable Playing XI: Mike Maignan(GK), Theo Hernandez, Alessio Romagnoli, Simon Kjaer, Franck Kessie, Samuel Castillejo, Alexis Saelemaekers, Sandro Tonali, Brahim Diaz, Olivier Giroud, Rafael Leao.

Liverpool vs AC Milan Dream 11 Team

Alisson Becker(GK), Andrew Robertson, Alessio Romagnoli, Simon Kjaer, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sadio Mane(VC), Thiago Alcantara, Franck Kessie, Olivier Giroud, Mohamed Salah(C), Rafael Leao.