Liverpool face Italian champions AC Milan in a friendly in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Friday. The match will become the Dubai Super Cup after Premier League leaders Arsenal won the tournament on Tuesday. Liverpool vs AC Milan Club Friendly.
Liverpool returned to action with a 3-1 defeat by Lyon on Sunday, with former Gunners striker Alexandre Lacazette bagging a brace during the French side’s win.
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Liverpool vs AC Milan Club Friendly
Fabio Carvalho opened the scoring for the Reds in the first minute after applying a neat finish to a neat move before Mohamed Salah wasted a golden chance to double his side’s lead from the penalty spot after fouling Roberto Firmino.
A defensive combination between Andrew Robertson and Caoimhin Kelleher allowed Lacazette to pounce before the break, with Jurgen Klopp electing to make a number of changes in the second half as his side slumped to defeat in normal time, having also lost a match before. Bonus points for losing a penalty shootout.
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As such, Friday’s meeting with Milan will be a race to avoid the bottom of the Dubai Super Cup. Although in reality the German will be more worried about his team’s performance and energy level than the result.
Indeed, the 55-year-old has repeatedly mentioned his desire to press his side higher and win another second leg before returning to competitive action against Manchester City in the EFL Cup next week.
At a Glance AC Milan
Milan, meanwhile, were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal on Tuesday. With Fikayo Tomori’s late goal ultimately not enough to mount a comeback after first-half strikes from Martin Odegaard and Reiss Nelson.
Like their upcoming opponents, the Rossoneri lost in a penalty shootout. Leaving both teams without a point to their name in the Dubai Super Cup ahead of their clash on Friday.
The two European heavyweights have had a remarkable history in recent times, of course. Sharing one Champions League win against each other in the 2005 and 2007 finals. Before Klopp’s side won both matches in the group stage last season.
One man hoping to start against his former club is Divock Origi. Whose goals against Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur were crucial in helping Liverpool to their sixth European Cup title in the 2018-19 season.
The Italians have a few more weeks to prepare for their return to competitive action. With another friendly against PSV Eindhoven before facing Salernitana in Serie A in the new year.
Klopp named a strong starting XI against Lyon and his options have been boosted by Darwin Nunez’s return to the first team.
The Uruguay forward himself endured a difficult World Cup after crashing out in the group stages without scoring. But his importance to the Reds has increased following news that Luis Diaz will be sidelined until March with a knee problem.
Injury at Both SIde
Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Fabinho and Virgil van Dijk are all unavailable as they recently crashed out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage. Diogo Jota out with a calf injury.
Milan, meanwhile, could welcome back Charles de Ketelare after their group stage exit to Belgium in Qatar. Featuring for just 16 minutes in their three matches for the Red Devils.
However, Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez are both strongly linked with France. While Rafael Leo will be rested after their quarter-final exit to Portugal.
Simon Kejar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alessandro Florenzi, Davide Calabria and Mike Magnan are all out through injury.
Team Formation
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Ramsay, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Elliott, Thiago, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Nunez
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Tatarusanu; Kalulu, Gabbia, Tomori, Thiaw; Bennacer, Tonali; Saelemaekers, Diaz, Rebic; Origi
Prediction Liverpool vs AC Milan Club Friendly
We say: Liverpool 3-1 AC Milan
Liverpool’s starting XI should be stronger than Milan’s who are missing three of their most talented players in the form of Giroud, Hernandez and Leo.
Thus, we expect Klopp’s side to bounce back with a win and avoid the bottom of the Dubai Super Cup ahead of their home clash against Man City next Thurs
