Liverpool will make their 2024 Champions League debut when the Reds travel to A.C Milan Tuesday, September 17th. Liverpool are coming off their first loss of the season to Nottingham Forest and will have to rebound quickly if they want to get off to a good start in one of the most prestigious competitions in World Football.
Chiesa Ready For Action
New Liverpool signee Federico Chiesa is expected to feature in the fixture with A.C. Milan. Whether he will get the nod in the Starting XI is unknown now.
“He is, for the first time, in our team selection [squad]. And since I said it's the first time he's in our team selection, it would be a big surprise for him and for everyone if he would start tomorrow,” Arne Slot said.
Chiesa is a recent signing for the Reds and comes from Juventus. The Italian Winger is a scoring threat with 54 career goals, for the club and country since beginning his professional career in 2016.
More On Milan
A.C. Milan are led by American International Christian Pulisic who has 17 goals since his arival in 2023. They last played Liverpool in the Champions League in 2022 when the Reds took both legs 3-2 and 2-1 respectively. So far this season in Serie-A, Milian have not been up to their usual standards. They sit 10th on the table with one win, one loss and two draws. The new boss, Paulo Fonseca, prefers to play a 4-2-3-1 formation and his team seems to have momentum, coming off a 4-0 win.
What Does Slot Say?
Slot's first Champion's League game will take place on his birthday. Of course, the boss wants a win to celebrate, but he also acknowledges that is a big game and what he is looking forward to the most in Champions League play.
“I think it is the first time that my birthday is not so important tomorrow! It's a big game also for me, but it's a big game for us too because it's the first game [of the Champions League] and it's the next game and the next game is always the most important one, as you know. But because of the history that these two teams have and the venue where it's played in - it's one to look forward to. I've been in Europe for a few years with my former clubs and sometimes we went through to the next round, I think one time with six or seven points and we ended up number one in the group. It's difficult to say before you start, but I think it's clear if you want to end up in the first eight you have to win a lot of games and you need a lot of points. What I think about the format, that's also something you can ask me better in the end.”
LFC Globe Verdict
I think it's a good thing that Liverpool have to return to the pitch so quickly after their first defeat of the season, It gives them a chance to put the disappointment of the last match behind them. I expect Milan to have a big home-field advantage with over 70,000 supporters expected, so the Reds will have to be at their best to get 3 points.
Where To Watch
Kickoff is set for 20:00 BST and will be streamed live on Amazon Prime in the UK. In The USA and Canada, the match will kick off at 3 PM EST and be available for streaming on Paramount + in both countries.
