Watch: Chiesa Trains as Liverpool Prepare for San Siro Showdown Against AC Milan | OneFootball

Liverpool ready for Champions League clash with AC Milan

Liverpool’s preparations for their Champions League opener against AC Milan have begun in earnest, with Arne Slot’s side getting back to work following their surprising defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend. As the Reds gear up for one of Europe’s most prestigious tournaments, attention is turning to how Slot will manage his squad in the face of both domestic and European challenges.

The squad hit the training ground on Monday, with 24 players taking part in a session that marked the start of Liverpool’s build-up to their trip to the San Siro. There’s pressure on Slot and his team to bounce back, and the intensity of the preparation reflected that.

Building momentum after a disappointing result

Coming off the back of a frustrating 1-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest, Slot was quick to get his squad focused again. Sunday saw the Liverpool manager already looking for solutions as he prepares for the tough away fixture against AC Milan. Monday’s session, held in the breezy conditions of Merseyside, allowed the cameras a glimpse of the warm-up and light ball work before the more tactical elements of training began out of the media’s view.

One thing was clear from the brief glimpse we got: Liverpool’s squad emerged from the weekend match with no immediate injury concerns. All those involved in the Forest game trained without issue, and there’s a clear sense that Slot wants to keep things tight as the season progresses.

Federico Chiesa, one of the club’s most high-profile summer signings, was also part of the session. The Italian winger, still waiting for his competitive debut after missing out on recent games, will be keen to get his first minutes for Liverpool in his home country, adding a bit of personal significance to the fixture.

Tactical preparations and squad focus

Arne Slot has maintained a relatively small first-team squad this season, choosing to keep the focus on senior players while allowing younger talents time to develop without rushing them into the pressure cooker of first-team football. The likes of Trey Nyoni, a promising youngster, have yet to feature in a matchday squad for the senior side, although his time will undoubtedly come.

Tyler Morton, who remains a part of the senior setup, is still waiting for his chance to feature in a competitive fixture. Morton, who spent last season on loan gaining valuable experience, has trained regularly with the first team but has yet to be called upon in match action.

The defensive unit looked strong in training, with Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, and Jarell Quansah all moving freely during the session. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson continue to anchor the full-back positions, though Kostas Tsimikas and young prospect Conor Bradley offer Slot alternatives, especially in the demanding fixture schedule ahead.

AC Milan’s preparations and recent form

While Liverpool were dealing with the frustration of a domestic defeat, AC Milan were enjoying a far more comfortable weekend. Paulo Fonseca’s men raced into a 4-0 lead against Venezia within half an hour of kick-off, allowing them to take their foot off the pedal for the rest of the match.

This early blitz enabled Milan to rest key players in preparation for Tuesday’s Champions League tie. Fonseca was able to substitute his entire front three, along with midfielders Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders, giving his squad a chance to recover ahead of what is expected to be a fierce contest with Liverpool.

For Slot, this presents an additional challenge. Milan come into the game with both momentum and fresher legs, making it imperative that Liverpool are tactically sharp and physically prepared for the contest.

Photo: @LFC

Liverpool’s squad options

Liverpool’s squad for the San Siro trip remains largely unchanged from the group that faced Nottingham Forest. The goalkeeping options are set with Alisson, Caoimhin Kelleher, Jakub Ojrzynski, and Harvey Davies, who are all available. In defence, the familiar faces of Konaté, Van Dijk, and Joe Gomez will likely feature alongside Alexander-Arnold and Robertson.

The midfield has some exciting possibilities, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, and Wataru Endo all pushing for starts. With the games coming thick and fast, it’s likely Slot will rotate his options to maintain fitness across his squad.

Up front, Mo Salah remains the talisman, with Darwin Núñez, Cody Gakpo, and Diogo Jota all vying for spots in the starting line-up. Chiesa, as mentioned, could make his long-awaited debut in this high-profile fixture, and the return of Luis Diaz from international duty gives Slot another powerful weapon in attack.

Confidence In Demanding Season

Despite the recent hiccup against Forest, Liverpool head to Italy with the confidence of a side that has started the season well under new management. Slot’s tactical philosophy, which places emphasis on controlling possession and pressing high up the pitch, is still taking shape, but there have already been signs of progress.

The Champions League presents a different challenge with its fast pace and unique intensity. A positive result against Milan would provide a timely boost for Liverpool, who are looking to avoid early pressure in the group stages.

It’s a big test for Slot’s new-look Liverpool, but with the squad looking fit and motivated, there is optimism that they can return from Milan with three points in the bag.