AC Milan Vs Liverpool (Photo by Chris Rico / Getty Images)

Arne Slot's first Champions League game as the Liverpool coach did not start the way he wanted, going 1-0 down early to AC Milan, but the quality and class his team showed to win the game 3-1 would have delighted him to get his first Champions league win for Liverpool on his birthday.

Both Centre halves in Ibrahima Konate and captain Virgil Van Dijk were the scorers for the Reds in the first half and after a dominant game, Dominik Szoboszlai topped off his man of the match performance with a goal to secure a convincing victory in Italy.

The next match for Liverpool is at Anfield against Bournemouth where Slot will be looking for a bounce back in the Premier League after a disappointing loss to Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool Player Ratings

Alisson Becker - 6

Not much to do for the Brazil number one in terms of saves other than a late strike from Rafael Leao and could not really do anything about the goal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7

Number 66 today looked really good defensively against Leao which was a matchup people were talking about before the game.

Offensively did not impact the game too much, but did provide an assist for Ibrahima Konate after a lovely cross from a Trent free kick.

Ibrahima Konate - 8

A goal for the French man and an overall really solid performance allowing minimal chances for Milan, maybe could have done better for the Milan goal but that is harsh.

Virgil Van Dijk - 8

Another strong centre-half performance with the captain scoring as well and also looking really solid at the back, probably could have positioned better for the Milan goal.

Konstantinos Tsimikas - 7

Was probably the one majorly at fault for the goal due to a bad decision to push up, but showed real character to put that behind him and looked really good for the rest of the match.

Ryan Gravenberch - 8

The midfielder was really good today and the Dutchman was a massive part to play in why Liverpool dominated the game so much with his ability to keep the ball and also win the ball back high up of Milan.

He has really stepped up his game this season under Arne Slot.

Alexis Mac Allister - 7

Another solid performance from the Argentine, looking really good on the ball and playing some incredible passes, as well as being so strong and physical.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 9

The MOTM today; he looked really strong and got himself a goal which has been lacking in other games, but overall just a wonderful performance from him and the Midfield.

Mohamed Salah - 7

Looked really sharp today after a disappointing game against Nottingham Forest, he hit the woodwork a couple of times, not getting the goal he wanted, but a good bounce back performance from the Egyptian.

Cody Gakpo - 7

Coming in for Luis Diaz, Gakpo looked really good tonight against the right side of Milan's defence posing a threat all game and got himself an assist for the third Liverpool goal. 

Diogo Jota - 6

Not much of an impact for the Portuguese man today and fluffed a big chance when he probably should have set up Gakpo for a sitter.

  • Liverpool Substitutes 

Darwin Nunez - 5

Had a couple of opportunities to create chances but chose to go for goal instead and was caught offside quickly after coming on, which is something he needs to change if he wants to get into the starting 11. 

Luis Diaz - 6

Did not really have an effect on the game today coming off the bench. 

Joe Gomez - 6

Came on for security with 10 minutes to go and provided that.

Waturu Endo, Federico Chiesa - N/A

Both came on in the 90th minute and could not influence the game at 3-1.

  • AC Milan Player Ratings 

Mike Maignan - 6

Came off injured quickly into the second half and could not do anything about the goals – and was fine when called upon.

Davide Calabria - 4

Got himself a silly yellow in the first half in which the free kick led to the first Liverpool goal and, because of the yellow card, he could not make a challenge the whole game.

Fikayo Tomori - 5

Was not at fault for the goals but did not have a good performance.

Strahinja Pavlovic - 4

Looked shaky on the ball when Liverpool pressed and was probably the one at fault for Van Dijk's header.

Theo Hernandez - 5

Was not very good defensively and, because of Liverpool's dominance on the ball, could not really show his ability going forward.

Youssouf Fofana - 5

Just got overran in the midfield and got dominated for almost all of the game.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 5

Looked a ghost out there today not involving himself with anything, did not make mistakes but never really had the chance to.

Christian Pulisic - 7

Milan's bright spark today got the goal and when drifting to the centre of the pitch to get the ball looked quite good in the pockets.

Tijjani Reijnders - 5 

Did not really get involved in the game but showed some good passages of the play but overall got overpowered by the Liverpool midfield.

Rafael Leao - 4

Had one good run all game but, other than that, was defended well by Alexander-Arnold and could not really leave an imprint on the game.

Alvaro Morata - 5

Provided a good assist for the goal but after that struggled to really have an effect on the game.

  • AC Milan Substitutes 

Lorenzo Torriani - 6 

For a professional debut, it does not get better in terms of the game being in the Champions League at the San Siro but as for his performance it was decent did not really have much to do and could do nothing about the goal.

Emerson Royal - 6

Did not do anything when coming on.

Tammy Abraham - 7

Looked a really bright spark coming on and was probably one of Milan's best players on the night.

Noah Okafor, Matteo Gabbia - N/A

Came on for five minutes and had no effect on the game.