Champions League Preview: AC Milan vs Liverpool - Analysis and Insights

With the return of the Champions League comes the revival of age old rivalries. The first gameweek of the UCL league phase sees Italian giants AC Milan take on six time European Champions in a rematch of the iconic 2004/05 Champions League final, one of the most storied finals of all time.

This final was the first meeting between the two, and saw Milan lead 3-0 at half time, Liverpool draw level after three early second half goals, and penalty drama to to hand Liverpool the trophy. If we receive even half the drama in their UCL openers, we will be in for a treat.

Delicate 🤌@acmilan || #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/qe771J56TP

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 23, 2024

As the big game edges closer, we take a closer look at both sides, investigating lineups, team news, key players and absences that could influence the final result.

AC Milan vs Liverpool league Standings

AC Milan have had a steady but not spectacular start to the season thus far. While they failed to win any of their first three games, they also lost only one, drawing 2-2 to Torino and Lazio, while losing 2-1 away to Parma.

The draw against Torino was particularly dramatic, as Milan trailed 2-0 in the 89th minute, before summer signing Alvaro Morata pulled one back, before Noah Okafor equalized in the fifth minute of added time.

Many expected Milan to have a fast start to the campaign, after they picked up victories over Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona during pre-season, but this has so far not come to fruition.

However, they convincingly won their first league game in their most recent fixture, a 4-0 win over Venezia in which all the goals were scored before the half hour mark. If they can carry the momentum from this game into their face-off with Liverpool, then the game could be impossible to call.

Liverpool, after a strong start to the season, hit a major speed bump on Saturday, losing 1-0 at home to Nottingham Forest to put a dampener on Arne Slot’s so far excellent start to the campaign.

Trademark Callum Hudson-Odoi 🤌

Our winning goal at Anfield 😍 pic.twitter.com/bfYzP75kbI

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 14, 2024

Winning their first three games without conceding, Liverpool have been given early shouts for unexpected title contenders despite the obvious wrench that Jurgen Klopp’s departure had on the club. However, after their recent shock defeat, it seems that fans' expectations need to be tempered a little.

European football always seems to bring out the best in the Reds’, and there always seems to be a little bit of extra bite to their performances, especially in high profile games such as this one.

However, as it is Slot’s first Champions League tie in charge of legitimate trophy contenders, there is no way of knowing how they will perform. Under Klopp, their performances were electric, and there was a never say die attitude which caused a host of huge teams problems, but how the squad adapts to Arne Slot’s ideals remains to be seen, especially in fixtures that have a history such as this one.

AC Milan vs Liverpool Team News

Both Liverpool and Milan have so far navigated their fixtures safely, and have avoided any unnecessary absences, meaning they have a fully fit, very talented squads to pick from.

Given this, it is a matter of playing the opposition and not the game itself, and both sides will be targeting respective weaknesses, and picking players that can exploit these most effectively.

AC Milan vs Liverpool Recent Meetings

• 07/12/2021: Milan 1-2 Liverpool.
• 15/09/2021: Liverpool 3-2 Milan.
• 23/05/2007: Milan 2-1 Liverpool.
• 25/05/2005: Milan 3(2) 0-3(3) Liverpool.

AC Milan vs Liverpool Predicted Lineups

• AC Milan (4-3-3): Maignan (GK), Emerson Royal, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Hernandez, Reijnders, Fofana, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Abraham, Leao.
• Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson (GK), Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Nunez.

AC Milan vs Liverpool Player to Watch

AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic has started the season with a point to prove. With 2 goals and 2 assists in four games, he is Milan’s highest rated player so far this season according to Sofascore with a 7.6 average rating, and he has been utterly dominant on the right flank.

Christian Pulisic in his last 8 Serie A matches for AC Milan 🔥

(📸: @livescore) pic.twitter.com/dvIpcO7lSE

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) September 14, 2024

After a pretty fruitless four year spell at Chelsea, where he was blighted by countless injuries, Pulisic has so far had a successful transition to Italian football. Playing in 36 league games last year (more than he completed in any season at Chelsea), the American contributed 12 goals and 8 assists, and became a cornerstone of a dynamic Milan attack.

Having started this season in even more impressive form, Pulisic has developed his game to the point where he is a problem for the best full backs in the world, and as it seems inevitable that he starts against Liverpool, he could turn Andy Robertson inside out. Keep an eye on that battle, it could decide the game.

Where can I watch AC Milan vs Liverpool?

Coverage of the game will take place on Amazon Prime, with the build up starting at 7pm. Text commentary will also be available on both the BBC Sports and Sky Sports Football apps.

How does the new UCL League Phase work?

With the old system of eight groups containing for teams being dispensed with after last season, UEFA have opted for a layout that can fit an extra four teams in.

There will be 36 teams taking part in the league phase of UCL this season, each playing eight games each. Their games will be made up of two teams from pots 1, 2, 3 and 4, with the one being the highest quality of opposition and four being the lowest.

The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League league phase fixtures are set 🔒 pic.twitter.com/cefd30vz6W

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 29, 2024

The teams who finish in the top eight in the league system will automatically qualify for the round of 16, while the teams that finish 9th to 24th will enter into a two legged knockout play-off round, with the winners of these fixtures entering into the remaining eight spots in the last 16.

Those who finish in 25th or lower will be knocked out of the competition.

From here, the layout is the same as in previous years, with two legged ties in the last 16, quarter finals and semi finals, with the final set to be a one legged showpiece game held at a neutral venue, set to be played out at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.