Two of the most successful clubs in European football history face off at Anfield on Wednesday as Liverpool host AC Milan on Paramount+. Between them these two have 13 European Cups to their name with the visitors the second most successful side in this competition’s history. Still the match will be their first Champions League fixture in over seven years after a turbulent period in their history.
The same could not be said of Liverpool, who will be looking to prove why they belong among the pre-tournament favorites and start well in what promises to be a tough group with games against Atletico Madrid and Porto to come. Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
Viewing information
- Date: Wednesday, Sept. 15 | Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Anfield — Liverpool, United Kingdom
- TV/Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Liverpool -225; Draw +375; Milan +600 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
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Storylines
Liverpool: A game against AC Milan only means one thing for most Liverpool supporters, a chance to reminisce on that remarkable night in May 2005 when Rafael Benitez’s side went into the dressing room 3-0 down at half time and were lifting the European Cup a few hours later. A win on penalties was a result that few people could have imagined when Hernan Crespo scored his second goal just before the interval, least of all current Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.
“That night I was thinking about not watching the second half, to be honest, because like everybody in the world – apart from a few people in the Liverpool dressing room – I thought that this game might be decided,” he said in his pre match press conference. “The fightback was impressive, but what I remember is some incredible saves from [Jerzy] Dudek. He had to keep them in the game; they scored three goals, but Milan could have scored more goals and that would have probably closed the game.”
Milan: Zlatan Ibrahimovic might have made his comeback in style with a goal at the weekend in a win over Lazio but the talismanic striker will not make the trip to Italy after suffering what Stefano Pioli described as “inflammation” to his Achilles tendon. In his place will come either Ante Rebic or Olivier Giroud, the latter having settled well to life in Italy, scoring two goals in his first two Serie A games.
“I think of Milan with Zlatan, that’s what we all want,” said Pioli. We have many valid solutions; these sudden defections are part of the game but we are well prepared. I will choose between Rebic and Giroud, but we are covered. I’m sorry for Zlatan, we will see him again soon.”
Prediction
AC Milan are unlikely to go down easily on their return to the big time but, particularly in Ibrahimovic’s absence, they may lack some of the nous required to win on the road in Europe. Pick: Liverpool 2 AC Milan 1
