Two genuine heavyweights of European football clash on Matchday 1 of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, with Liverpool hosting AC Milan at Anfield.
The powerhouses have seven Champions League/European Cup titles between them – seven for Milan and six for Liverpool.
Another special moment for @MoSalah ✨Clocking up his 100th @PremierLeague goal in just 162 games ⚽ pic.twitter.com/RuXQalpkEP— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 12, 2021
Another special moment for @MoSalah ✨Clocking up his 100th @PremierLeague goal in just 162 games ⚽ pic.twitter.com/RuXQalpkEP
However, Milan haven’t lifted the famous trophy since 2007, while Jurgen Klopp’s side triumphed back in 2019.
With Atletico Madrid and Porto also competing in Group B, both Liverpool and Milan will be eager to get off on the right foot on Wednesday.
Liverpool are unbeaten this season, having picked up three wins and one draw from their opening four Premier League matches.
The Reds have scored nine goals and only conceded once in the process, keeping a clean sheet in all three of their victories.
Following a 1-1 draw with Chelsea before the international break, Klopp’s men thrashed Leeds 3-0 on Sunday, with Mohamed Salah, Fabinho and Sadio Mane grabbing the goals.
Remarkably, Liverpool racked up a whopping 30 shots at Elland Road, so they are clearly in red-hot form at the business end of the pitch.
It is worth pointing out, however, that AC Milan have also made an unbeaten start to the 2021/22 campaign.
In fact, the Italian side boast a 100% record in Serie A, having kicked off the season with three straight wins.
Just like Liverpool, Stefano Pioli’s team have conceded just a single goal this term – scoring seven in reply.
After beating Cagliari 4-1 before the international break, Milan dispatched Lazio 2-0 on Sunday, with Rafael Leao and the returning Zlatan Ibrahimovic finding the net.
Head-to-head: These two giants have met twice over the years, with both meetings coming in the Champions League final.
Liverpool secured a famous comeback triumph over Milan back in 2005 before the Italians gained their revenge two years later.
Team news: Roberto Firmino is a doubt for Liverpool, while 18-year-old Harvey Elliott will miss the match after getting stretchered off the field last time out.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic back from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Milan currently have no injury concerns.
Although Liverpool boast the stronger team on paper, both sides will be eager to avoid defeat on Matchday 1, so we could see a tense affair on Wednesday.
For that reason, Forebet predicts that Liverpool and Milan will produce a low-scoring draw at Anfield.