Liverpool were in no mood to slow down in their final group game of the Champions League as they went away to the San Siro to defeat AC Milan 1-2 and send the former European champions completely out of Europe.
Mohammed Salah and Divock Origi scored to cancel out Fikayo Tomori's opener for the hosts as the Reds made it six wins out of six in the group stage.
From their league win over Salermitana at the weekend, AC Milan witnessed five changes, welcoming back talisman, Zlatan Ibrahimovic to lead the front line.
Having already won the group, Jurgen Klopp made eight changes to his team from the weekend, but stuck with Alisson Becker, Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane, showing a strong intent to finish the group well and added Origi, who scored their later winner at the weekend against Wolves.
The hosts were the first to strike in the 28th minute when Tomori capitalized on Liverpool's inability to clear a corner. Brahim Diaz's corner from the right was attacked at the near post by Alessio Romganoli, who forced Alisson into a reflex save. Tomori was the first to react as he thundered home a close range effort, giving the hosts the hope of making something out of the tie.
Origi came closest for the visitors when he found space to twist and turn the Milan defence, but his left-footed effort was too soft and straight at Mike Maignan, with the goalkeeper not troubled in any way.
Milan's lead would last for only eight minutes before Mohammed Salah pulled the visitors back in. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, one of the eight inclusions in the starting lineup was allowed too much space for a shot in front of the Milan box. His effort was parried by Maignan, but only as far as Salah who fired up the rebound into the net.
Salah was in the mix of things again after the break when he was set up by Origi. The Egyptian's effort was too comfortable for Maignan to save.
Then, Milan dug their own grave in the 54th minute. Sloppy play by Tomori just at the edge of his own box saw him robbed of the ball by Sadio Mane, who made his way towards goal and forced Maignan to a reaction save. The rebound fell to Origi, who sent a looping header into the back of the net to dent Milan's hope of staying in Europe.
Origi was determined to make a statement for himself as he went in search of more goals, but his two efforts in three minutes both went off target. First hitting a low shot inches wide of the post, before heading a Neco Williams' cross wide.
With the clock winding down, Milan were desperately in need of a goal, especially as FC Porto were already trailing against Atletico Madrid in the other group game. Substitute, Alexis Saelemaekers played Franck Kessie through on goal with just four minutes left on the clock, but Alisson made himself big enough to make the save off the Ivorian.
Concluding Thoughts
Liverpool finished with a perfect record in the group stage. Not dropping a single point on their road the the knockout stage.
They become the first Premier League side to win all of their six group stage matches in the Champions League, even with a much changed side, which is a huge advantage as the games continue to come thick and fast.
AC Milan have been completely eliminated from Europe, with Porto qualifying for the Europa League in third place.
This is the second time in the history of the Rossoneri after the 1990/1991 campaign that they have finished at the bottom of the group in the Champions League. Perhaps, this will give them more time to focus on challenging for the Scudetto.
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