The Reds secured a comeback victory in Italy during their head coach’s debut European match, with goals from Ibrahima Konate, captain Virgil van Dijk, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Christian Pulisic initially put the hosts ahead in the third minute of the Champions League clash. However, the visitors took the lead into halftime thanks to their central defensive pairing. In the second half, Szoboszlai sealed the win with a goal assisted by Cody Gakpo, giving Liverpool a well-deserved 3-1 triumph at San Siro.
On Whether the Win is a Good Birthday Present:
“Absolutely. Typically, you celebrate your birthday with friends and family, but this was a fantastic alternative. Playing our first Champions League game against such a special club for Liverpool, and for Dutch people, in such a renowned venue was a real treat. To win after going 1-0 down within five minutes, and following the Nottingham Forest result, was incredibly satisfying. The way the players took charge and scored three goals to secure the win was very impressive.”
On the Performances of Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch:
“I just spoke with Clarence Seedorf about Ryan and Cody, and it’s always special for Dutch players to perform well here, given the history of Dutch legends who have played at this venue. While Gakpo and Gravenberch stood out, it’s important to remember that individual brilliance comes from strong team performance. The whole team played well, and that allowed individuals to shine.”
On Joining the Ranks of Managers Who Won a Champions League Tie on Their Birthday:
“It’s great company to be in, alongside Bobby Robson, Roberto Mancini, and Arsene Wenger. But I hope to achieve even more and be known for more significant accomplishments in the future. Winning a tie on my birthday is nice, but I aspire to contribute to the game in ways similar to these legendary managers.”
On Targeting Set-Pieces Against Milan:
“I focus on our own team rather than the opposition. We were disappointed with our performance against Nottingham Forest, especially with set-pieces, and felt we deserved a reward for our efforts. The two set-piece goals we scored were crucial, as we had several chances in open play but couldn’t convert them. It was satisfying to see our hard work pay off.”
On the Roles of Alexis Mac Allister and Szoboszlai:
“There may have been some confusion, but Mac Allister and Szoboszlai were not playing as wingers—they were positioned as midfielders. The team controlled the ball well, shifted play effectively, and created numerous chances, even if we didn’t score in the first half. The second half saw a great team goal in addition to the set-piece goals from the first half.”
On the Difficult Start and Early Conceding:
“Conceding early is always challenging, but despite the initial setback, we took control of the game. We had a few early chances against us, including one offside and the goal we conceded, but from that point onward, we dominated possession. Despite the early pressure, we managed to control the game and create opportunities.”
