Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs AC Milan as Cody Gakpo and 4 more excellent

SAN SIRO, MILAN // Liverpool came from behind to beat AC Milan at the San Siro as Arne Slot secured his first European victory since taking over from Jurgen Klopp — and a maiden win in the new-look Champions League format.

USMNT star Christian Pulisic put AC Milan ahead early in the first half but headed goals from Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk turned the match on its head before half-time. Liverpool had begun the game slowly but by the time it equalized, a dominant pattern had been established where the Reds were in plenty of control.

Dominik Szoboszlai added a third goal to put the result beyond doubt with around 25 minutes to play after great work from Cody Gakpo to breeze past his man and tee up the Hungarian.

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Winners

He started pretty slowly but Gakpo looked good in the end for Liverpool down the left flank. Luis Diaz has done well in three out of the four matches so far this season but both players are solid options. Elsewhere, it was another good night for Van Dijk and Konate, who both scored and looked strong at the back in the main. Szoboszlai was everywhere and it was miles better than last Saturday.

Losers

Diogo Jota wasn't great at the weekend but Darwin Nunez wasn't picked here regardless. Given the Uruguayan had the international break off because of his suspension for Uruguay, that's probably not a great sign for his chances. Nunez is still awaiting his first start of the season and the delay for him to get a go from the beginning of a match goes on.

Kostas Tsimikas, who did get a start, looked a little rusty. Joe Gomez can count himself unlucky that he wasn't the player selected, albeit it would have been out of position.

Player ratings

Alisson Becker (7). He will have been disappointed to be beaten by Pulisic's shot. After that, though, the Brazilian didn't really have much to do. Milan has a few good attacking players but the Liverpool players stopped them playing in the most part.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7). Delivered the assist for the Konate header and sprayed a few good passes around. Dealt with Rafael Leao with the help of those around him when the lazy narrative could easily have been spun about his defending.

Ibrahima Konate (8). Powerfully headed home an equalizing goal from Alexander-Arnold's free-kick and looked really good all game. Dominant and strong and kept Alvaro Morata really quiet.

Virgil van Dijk (8). Could have done a little bit better with the opening goal but more than made up for that. It was the captain's header from close range that put his team ahead at half-time.

Kostas Tsimikas (6). Coming into the team as the second-choice left-back behind Andy Robertson, it didn't take long for a mistake to lead to a goal conceded. The Greek should have done better with a long pass before Pulisic scored but he set up the Van Dijk header and was much improved after a shaky beginning. His shooting was miles off but that's no shock.

Ryan Gravenberch (8). Less obviously impressive than he has been for Liverpool this season which is no bad thing. He was quietly effective without being as obviously influential as he was in the win at Manchester United and didn't do a great deal wrong.

Alexis Mac Allister (7). Set up a big chance for Diogo Jota and kept things ticking. The Argentine looked really tired at the weekend but was much more perked up here. Not scintillating, but steady.

Dominik Szoboszlai (8). As Slot said during his pre-match press conference, the Hungarian has all the physical traits required and he ran a lot here. More goals and assists are needed but this was a big improvement on his performance against Nottingham Forest and on his 50th appearance for the Reds, he found the back of the net.

Mohamed Salah (7). Hit the crossbar twice in the first half and was desperately unlucky not to score. He also forced Mike Maignon into a couple of good saves from decent positions.

Diogo Jota (6). Missed a good chance in the first 45 minutes and struggled to get involved that much. Some of his touches were poor at times but he is still the number one striker.

Cody Gakpo (8). Started very slowly but grew into the game. The Dutchman was making his first start of the season and it showed for a while but he got there in the end, getting the better of Davide Calabria a few times.

Substitutes

Darwin Nunez (6). Didn't have many chances to run in behind but made a couple of decent passes. He probably needs to have a big impact off the bench at some point soon to force himself into the team.

Luis Diaz (6). Came on and looked bright enough but didn't need to over-exert himself. He will expect to come back into the team for the weekend, though Gakpo might also feel worthy after this showing.

Joe Gomez (6). Solid and steady and didn't need to do a great deal. Helped see the result out.

Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo came on in stoppage time but entered the field too late to earn a rating. The former's debut was much anticipated but he wasn't able to make an impact in the few minutes he was on the field.