Mohammed Salah and Divock Origi's goals helped Liverpool to seal a record sixth Champions League group-stage win as they defeated AC Milan 2-1.
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Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for the 19-year old Tyler Morton following his impressive performance in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over AC Milan in the champions League group stage game on Tuesday. It was only the midfielder’s fifth first-team appearance for the Reds and the second start in the Champion League. Liverpool had never visited the San siro in 13 years, and had never faced Milan at the legendary arena, but as they had already secured qualification for the knockout stage, Klopp made eight changes to his side.
Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi scored for Liverpool after Fikayo Tomori had given the lead to the home side. The English club were clearly the better side on the night despite playing with a number of youngsters.
Morton played alongside Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Takumi Minamino in the three-man midfield. The teenager kept things simple, played to his strengths and performed at a level above his experience and thereby impressing everyone especially his boss.
The footballer from Wallasey was up against a quality opposition consisting of the likes of Franck Kessie, Sandro Tonali and Brahim Diaz in the middle of the park. However, he remained calm and did his job with composure to come out on top.
Morton was accurate with his passing and dictated the pace of the game pretty well. He was also quite good with the ball at his feet, not panicking when pressurized.
“I think we should all calm down, but it was really good tonight! It was a big pleasure to watch the boy playing,” he added.
“The football knowledge, the football brain he showed tonight was absolutely exceptional.
“If you are technically on that level – and he obviously is – and you then have such good orientation, then sometimes we have enough time to do good stuff.
“That is what he did tonight. On top of that, he defended incredibly well, together with the other boys.
“I have to say it was really exceptional what Oxlade and Taki did in these half-spaces. Oxlade is in a really good moment, but Taki was not in his natural position.
“So I have to say the overall performance was really special tonight.”
Milan took the lead against the run of play in the 28th minute as Alisson Becker’s save from a corner fell to Tomori in front of goal. The central defender made no mistake as he slotted home from close range.
Liverpool had won their previous five group-stage games and were assured of top spot in the group. However, klopp’s side still meant business in Italy and continued to play positive football and equalized in the 36th minute.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan spilled the ball from Chamberlain’s effort and it fell to Salah who fired into the top of the net. It was the Egyptians 30th goal of the season.
Ten minutes after the restart, Sadio Mane’s effort was blocked by Maignan, but the rebound was headed home by Origi to secure all three points for the away side. The win meant that Liverpool became the first English club in the history of the competition to win all six group stage games.
