Liverpool faced growing scrutiny over Mohamed Salah’s absence, with many wondering if the team could secure points without their star forward. Yet it was the club’s player of the season so far, Dominik Szoboszlai, who stepped up to take the penalty, while Salah remained nearly 1,000 miles away.
The reaction from fans and players at the final whistle, singing Arne Slot’s name, highlighted the significance of the victory.
After a challenging few days, Liverpool finally had reason to celebrate. This marked their fourth consecutive win at San Siro and their first away Champions League victory without Salah since 2009. With Michael Edwards, the club’s chief executive, in attendance, the win carried extra weight.
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker emphasized the team’s support for Slot following a difficult period, and on the pitch, Liverpool responded with a controlled performance.
Tactical adjustments from Slot and a disciplined defensive display helped the team keep a clean sheet, recovering from their disappointing defeat at Leeds. The players’ resilience, particularly with a depleted 19-man squad, was evident throughout the match.
Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the external pressure but emphasized team unity as central to Liverpool’s ethos. Left-back Andy Robertson added that the win was crucial, reinforcing the importance of Liverpool’s Champions League presence.
Looking ahead, Liverpool aims to build on this momentum. After a run of nine defeats in 12 matches, the team is now unbeaten in four games, signaling a potential turning point. Slot addressed questions regarding Salah, noting the complexities of personal accountability while highlighting the team’s focus on those present.
Szoboszlai’s performance was particularly notable. Directly involved in more goals than any other Liverpool player this season, he displayed remarkable stamina and composure, successfully converting his first in-game penalty for the club. Slot praised his physical and footballing contributions, emphasizing the importance of his leadership in challenging moments.
Winning at San Siro is never easy, especially against a side that had remained unbeaten at home in 18 consecutive Champions League matches. Slot stressed the importance of celebrating the efforts of the squad present, highlighting Liverpool’s rich history of memorable victories.
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Chelsea’s automatic qualification hopes for the Champions League knockout stage suffered a setback as Atalanta came from behind to secure a win in Bergamo. Both teams entered the match with identical group-stage records, but Atalanta’s late goal from Charles de Ketelaere secured a 2-1 victory, dropping Chelsea to 11th in the group while lifting Atalanta to third.
Meanwhile, Son Heung-min returned to Tottenham Hotspur in an emotional homecoming. The South Korean forward, who scored 173 goals in 454 appearances for Spurs, watched the team secure a comfortable Champions League win against Slavia Prague. His presence boosted morale for manager Thomas Frank, who has faced scrutiny over recent performances and criticism of fans’ reactions to goalkeeper errors.
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