Milan, Dec. 8 (BNA): Liverpool’s second-series team fought to drive Milan out of Europe with a 2-1 victory over San Siro, as goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi helped the Reds become the first English team to win. All six matches in the Champions League group stage.
Milan needed a win to have any chance of progressing to the last 16 and went ahead through England defender Fikayo Tomori in the first half to encourage the local team.
But Salah quickly equalized his 20th goal of the season in all competitions and Origi, who came to score the winning goal in stoppage time against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday, headed his second goal for Liverpool after the end of the first half.
Jurgen Klopp’s side became the first English side to have a perfect view in the Champions League group stage, as they finished top of Group B with 18 points.
It was also the first time in their history that they had a sixth consecutive win in the competition.
“What the boys did tonight, I couldn’t be more proud,” Klopp told BT Sport. “The performance was great. After 21 shots, many situations where we played great and defended with enthusiasm and well-organised.”
Milan came in last place with four points in its first season in the Champions League since 2013-2014, as Atletico Madrid beat Porto 3-1 to reach the knockout stage by winning second place with seven points, two points behind the Portuguese.
New Look Liverpool
With the lead wrapped up before kick-off, Liverpool made eight changes, giving Origi a rare start after his heroics against Wolverhampton.
“We chose this squad because we wanted to win the match,” Klopp explained. “We needed new legs.”
“We needed to want to play this match that in this hectic schedule it’s hard to always be on fire in the next match.”
The San Siro revolted after Takumi Minamino missed a corner kick in the 29th minute, forcing Alisson Becker to step up the ball to Tomori’s path for a simple finish.
But once the home team’s fans began believing in an improbable last-day climb to the top two, Salah shook.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Mike Minnen, but Al-Masry responded quickly to hit the net.
Salah became the first Liverpool player to score 20 goals or more in five consecutive seasons since Ian Rush, who did so six times in a row between 1981 and 1987.
Tomori was then penalized when he gave the ball wide to Sadio Mane after the break and although the winger’s shot was well saved by Mainian, Origi headed the counter back.
It was the Belgium international’s first goal in the Champions League since he scored the second in the 2-0 win in the 2019 final against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Rossoneri played a bigger goal in the second half but couldn’t find an equaliser, Frank Kesey squandered his best chance when Alisson denied him on one face.
“We wanted to cheer up our fans, but we didn’t succeed,” Milan coach Stefano Pioli said disappointedly.
“We learned a lot in these six matches.”
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