Fikayo Tomori gave the lead to AC Milan before Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi netted for Liverpool to seal the win while Atletico Madrid overcame Porto to go through to the knockout stages.
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Liverpool beat AC Milan 2-1 at San Siro to seal a record sixth Champions League group stage victory on Tuesday. The Reds became the first English Club in the champions League history to win all their group stage matches. Although Milan got the lead through Fikayo Tomori, Mohamed Salah equalized before Divock Origi scored the winner for Liverpool. Meanwhile Milan were eliminated from Europe.as they finished at the bottom of Group B. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid defeated Porto 3-1 to qualify for the knockout stage as runner-up in the group.
Milan came into the match desperate for a win to have any chance of going through to the next stage. While Liverpool had already assured their passage as Group winners after winning the first five games, and therefore, Jurgen Klopp made eight changes ahead of the trip to Milan.
The home side got off to a perfect start from their first corner of the match in the 29th minute. Alessio Ramagnoli tried to flick the ball in from the low corner kick. Although he couldn’t make a good connection, it forced a panicked save from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who could only palm the ball down at the feet of Tomori to slot in from close range.
Despite conceding the goal, Liverpool continued to play positively as Origi, who was surrounded by Milan defenders, managed to force a save from Mike Maignan. In the 36th minute, Liverpool equalized. Oxlade-Chamberlain went past Franck Kessie before shooting from inside the box. Maignan spilled the ball and Salah pounced on the rebound to slot home. It was the Egyptian striker’s 20th goal of the season.
Despite being in a must-win situation, there was no urgency from the home side. Liverpool deservedly took the lead in the 55th minute. Sadio Mane stole the ball from Tomori just outside the area and fired it straight to Maignan and the rebound was headed home by Origi.
With the lead secure, and with an eye on the visit to Villa Park, Klopp withdrew Slah and Mane in the 64th minute. Six minutes from time, Milan tested Alisson. Tiemoué Bakayoko slid the ball through for Kessie, but Alisson came off the line quickly to close the gap and deny the Ivorian midfielder from inside the box.
Klopp told BT Sport, “Very proud, especially because of the sixth game to be honest. We needed fresh legs, we needed desire to play this game, which was really difficult in a hectic schedule we have. What the boys did tonight I couldn’t be prouder. It was an incredible game.
“The performance was absolutely outstanding, playing this game having 21 shots, so many situations where we played outstandingly well and defended with passion and good organisation. So many good things I saw tonight and I’m happy.”
Atletico Madrid broke Porto’s hearts with a dramatic win at Estadio do Dragao. Atletico had to win to progress and they took the lead through Antoine Griezmann in the 56th minute. However, a red card to Yannick Carrasco in the 67th minute made their task more difficult.
Meanwhile the hosts were also reduced to 10-men after Borges Wendell was sent off in the 70th minute. Porto pushed hard for the equalizer and they were twice hit on the counter attack in the injury time.
Substitute Angel Correa doubled the lead in the 90th minute while Rodrigo de Paul added a third goal 60 seconds later. Porto then earned a consolation penalty which Sergio Oliveira converted with the final kick of the game.
Griezmann said after the match, “This match and this group stage campaign sums up just what Atletico is all about. We are a true group and we need everyone to do their bit to get to where we want to. We never stop believing.”
