Liverpool secured a convincing win in their final friendly match before the Premier League season resumes.
The Reds claimed a 4-1 victory over AC MIlan in their last fixture of the Dubai Super Cup on Friday evening. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Thiago Alcantara, as well as a Darwin Nunez brace on his return to the squad after being on World Cup duty, sealed the win.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will now return to Merseyside and begin preparing to face Manchester City in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Thursday. They will then have a few days recovery before they are back in league action against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
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Plenty of Italian media outlets watched Liverpool beat Milan, the reigning Serie A champions, in Dubai on Friday. Here is a round-up of what they had to say...
Alessandra Gozzini, via Gazzetta dello Sport
Too much Liverpool for this Milan: the Devil takes four
“There is no glory for Milan in the Dubai Super Cup: the first defeat against Arsenal was followed by a knockout against Liverpool. Beyond the result (4 to 1 Reds), there's more to say: Milan presented itself in a decidedly more reworked version than Liverpool.
“The first conclusion of the match comes from Lazetic: served deep by Adli, he kicks wide. It's not the only idea: the Serbian tries in the final half and in general gives the feeling that, if supported properly, he can create dangers.
“Another good sign: to Salah's initial goal (joint action at speed, Thiaw, Gabbia and Pobega observe...) Milan know how to react. He hits Liverpool with a fine goal from Saelemaekers, equally well primed by Rebic: he changes sides, the Belgian enters the air, breaks free and finds the equal.
“More Liverpool than Milan in the chronicle of dangerous actions, a control that materialises in the final half with Thiago Alcantara's equal.
"Liverpool, however, are more precise: they score the trio with Nunez in speed (and after Lazetic loses the ball in his area). And there were plenty of opportunities before the third goal: again Nunez, Salah, Carvalho, with good interventions from Mirante."
Calciomercato report
Milan held their ground, then collapsed 4-1 with Liverpool
“Another luxury test match, after the defeat in the match and on penalties against Arsenal, and another knockout for the Rossoneri.
“Stefano Pioli's Milan lost 4-1 against Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in another friendly in Dubai, a new exam in a British sauce...the Devil [Il Diavolo - AC Milan's nickname], who turns 123 today, first holds out and then gives up against the Reds, returning from the friendly lost in the Emirates against Lyon, in the setting of the Al Maktoum Stadium and valid for the Dubai Super Cup.
“The Rossoneri played with mourning on their arm and observed a minute's silence in memory of Sinisa Mihajlovic, a former Milanese coach who passed away in the afternoon. Goals from Salah, Thiago and Saelemaekers decide, as well as a brace from Nunez.
"It's never a game like the others when the Rossoneri and the Reds face off: the most vivid precedents are the two Champions League finals in Istanbul and Athens, won one by the English and one by the Italians.
"Stefano Pioli bet on the young Lazetic from 1', in the centre of the attack, with Saelemaekers, Adli and Rebic to support him, while in defense space for the Thiaw-Gabbia duo with Kalulu right back and Pobega on the left.
"Klopp was instead able to count on the 90s Robertson, Thiago, Salah and Firmino. Victory on penalties for the Rossoneri, 4-3, in this strange formula inaugurated in the tournament."
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