December 08, (THEWILL) – With a 2-1 victory at the San Siro courtesy of Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi, Liverpool eliminated AC Milan from the UEFA Champions League, becoming the first English side to win all six of their group matches and finish with an unbeaten record.
The Rossoneri needed a win on matchday six to advance from Group B, but they were unable to defeat the much-changed visitors, and will now exit Europe after placing last in the group.
It was the fifth consecutive season in which the Egyptian had scored 20 goals or more, making him the only player since Liverpool legend Ian Rush to do so. Salah also set a new club record of most goals scored in a European competition’s group stage (seven) and is the first Reds’ player to score in five consecutive group games.
After the break, Milan needed to find another gear, but it was Jurgen Klopp’s side that posed the larger threat, and the latter took the lead on 55 minutes.
Following his match-winning performance against Wolves, Origi was given a rare start, and he certainly delivered by nodding in the rebound after Sadio Mane took advantage of an error and forced a save from Maignan.
There were no other goals in the game much as Milan tried to impose themselves on the result. It was another season of disappointment as the referee whistle signalled their exit from Europe.
As a result of Atletico Madrid victory over FC Porto, the La Liga champions will join Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League, while FC Porto will be relegated to the Europa League for finishing in third place.
On Saturday, Liverpool hosts Aston Villa in a Premier League match that will see Steven Gerrard return to Anfield as the opposition’s manager. Milan, the Serie A leaders, travel to Udinese.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
