LIVERPOOLPaulo Fonseca admits Milan were torn apart by one Liverpool star so ‘difficult to stop’

This wasn’t the star-studded AC Milan of 2005, nor was it a night like the Miracle of Istanbul. Liverpool didn’t need a dramatic comeback; instead, they faced a Milan side that seemed to struggle with defending set pieces.

Christian Pulisic’s early third-minute opener was quickly nullified, not by Arne Slot’s complex tactics or a standout solo performance like Steven Gerrard’s in Turkey years ago, but through well-executed set-pieces and counter-attacks.

For Slot, the pressure following Liverpool’s shock home defeat to Nottingham Forest wasn’t as heavy as the burden on Milan’s new head coach, Paulo Fonseca. Since replacing Stefano Pioli, Milan have only won one of their five matches, and their Champions League opener turned into a dismal collapse on home soil. Fonseca himself admitted that Milan’s struggles were as much about their own failings as they were about Liverpool’s strengths.

“We played against a great team,” Fonseca told Sky Italia, acknowledging the local media’s growing doubts. “We started well but then conceded two goals from set-pieces that changed the game and our mental balance.”

Liverpool equalized Pulisic’s strike and took a 2-1 lead by halftime. Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a pinpoint cross for Ibrahima Konate’s header, followed by Kostas Tsimikas’s near-identical set-piece that allowed Virgil van Dijk to tower over Mike Maignan and nod home.

Fonseca lamented, “In these types of games, it’s the details that make the difference. After the second goal, we stopped playing.”

Liverpool sealed the win with a devastating counter-attack, as Cody Gakpo’s cross set up Dominik Szoboszlai for a close-range finish in the 67th minute. Mo Salah, though he didn’t score, was back to his best after a quiet display against Nottingham Forest. He hit the bar twice and consistently troubled Theo Hernandez.

Fonseca admitted to his side’s struggles: “We still make too many mistakes, especially in one-on-ones and other phases. Trying to stop Salah and other players is extremely difficult.”