Liverpool vs AC Milan Preview and Betting Tips

I was hoping Leeds would approach Saturday’s game with a measure of caution but Bielsa had other ideas. Leeds went man to man and it backfired spectacularly. The sending off didn’t help but it was already 2-0 at that point and the Reds ran out easy winners in the end. Liverpool will be hoping to carry that momentum into their Champions League clash with AC Milan on Wednesday night. Milan are no longer the force of old, but it should still be a cracking contest. Check out our Liverpool vs AC Milan Champions League preview below.

Liverpool

Liverpool will be brimming with confidence after their 3-0 win vs Leeds on Saturday. They dominated at Elland Road and the only negative was Harvey Elliott’s unfortunate injury. Jurgen Klopp’s men now kick off their Champions League campaign in one of the toughest groups in the tournament. As well as AC Milan, they will also play Atletico Madrid and Porto so they will be desperate to get off to a winning start at Anfield.

The back four picks itself at the moment, although Klopp may decide to rest Matip. He has made a strong start to the season but his body may not be up to playing 2 games in the space of four and a half days. Unlike last season, The Reds have options at centre back and either Joe Gomez or Ibrahima Konate could come into the side. Alisson will continue between the sticks.

Thiago had one of his best games for Liverpool vs Leeds. With Elliott out, Klopp will probably start him or Henderson alongside Fabinho, with either Keita, Chamberlain or Curtis Jones filling in for Elliott. With Firmino injured it will be Jota, Salah and Mane up top again. On paper, Liverpool’s first eleven is streets ahead of Milan’s and it would be a big shock if they failed to get off to a winning start. Their front three is on form, Van Dijk looks like his old self and they’ll fancy their chances of taking all three points on Wednesday night.

AC Milan

It is hard to believe that AC Milan have not qualified for the UCL since 2013/14. The one time European Giants are finally back in the big time after finishing 2nd in Serie A last season. They lost a key player in Donnarumma during the summer but his successor Mike Maignan has made a solid start at the San Siro and he has kept two clean sheets in his first three matches. They ran out comfortable 2-0 winners vs Lazio on Saturday, maintaining their flawless start to the season (3 wins from 3).

Danish centre-back Simon Kjaer didn’t play at the weekend but Stefano Pioli was likely just resting him for this match. He will probably partner ex-Chelsea man Tomori or Romagnoli at centre back with Calabria and Hernandez on the flanks. Krunic and Bakayoko are both injured so Tonali and Kessie look like starting in the engine room.

Brahim Diaz will start in the No.10 role and Milan will be looking to the Spaniard to unlock the Liverpool defence. Rafa Leao will hope to cause Alexander-Arnold problems defensively but he’ll have to work hard to nullify the marauding Liverpool full back’s influence at the other end of the pitch. Ante Rebic may well start on the other flank and Fiori could restore Giroud to the team after his absence with Covid-19 as Ibrahimovic is out with an achilles injury. This is a huge task for Milan on their return to the Champions League and a draw would be a massive result for them.

Liverpool vs AC Milan Possible Lineups

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Chamberlain, Mane, Jota, Salah.

AC Milan: Maignan, Calabria, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Hernandez, Tonali, Kessie, Leao, Diaz, Rebic, Giroud.

Liverpool vs AC Milan Betting Tip

Liverpool are currently one of Europe’s leading sides whereas Milan are trying to get back to the summit where they believe they belong. There is no doubt that AC have been taking steps in the right direction in recent seasons and their return to the Champions League is long overdue. However, they couldn’t have faced a tougher assignment than Liverpool at what will be a packed Anfield for their first game back in the UCL and it may be a bridge too far for the Italian giants.

All things considered, this should be a routine win for Liverpool. They look a lot more secure at the back since Van Dijk’s return and Alexander-Arnold has started the season extremely well. The front three are firing on all cylinders and Thiago finally showed something like his best form vs Leeds.

Losing Elliott is a blow but Klopp has alternative options in the middle and they should have more than enough to take care of business on Wednesday night. Liverpool have kept clean sheets in 4 of their last 5 home UCL matches and they have conceded just 1 goal in 4 games this season. At odds of 9/5, Liverpool to win to nil is the recommended bet. 

Liverpool vs AC Milan Betting Tip: Liverpool to win to nil @ 9/5 (Betfair/Unibet)

Final Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 AC MIlan (7/1 multiple Firms)

Key Manager Quotes

Jurgen Klopp: “I have more in mind than the two finals but if you think of any European battle, Liverpool vs AC Milan is a must-watch. Milan have not been in the Champions League for years but are doing well for 18 months. Started this season good so it’ll be tough. There are a few nice games in this Champions League, this is one.”

Stefano Pioli: “Tomorrow I will be able to say what the excitement will be, until today the concentration was on the preparation of the match. We arrived here with enthusiasm and energy and we will try to put them on the field again tomorrow evening.”

DaveStevos