The captain’s heroism ensured Jurgen Klopp’s men won bloody 3-2 in Group B’s opener
Steven Gerrard deserves to be proud.
Honestly Jordan Henderson has abandoned comparisons with his predecessors long ago, but what if charisma really equals?
A big Champions League night, facing Europe’s elite in front of a crazed Anfield? The stage was perfect for Gerrard, and now all the lights were on Henderson.
Editor’s Choice
You can call him ‘Stevie H’.
Henderson’s rocket from distance, magnificently controlled and unleashed with precision, ensured Liverpool started their Champions League campaign with a win, and left AC Milan languishing again at the hands of the Red Merseyside.
Definitely not like 2005, but Stefano Pioli’s men are still injured. They took the lead at half-time but couldn’t contain the red-shirted soldiers’ desire to give their supporters a beautiful evening, 18 months after their last taste of European football, and after a seven-season absence from the UCL stage.
How the fans miss this so much. Even the Milan fans, who filled the corner of Anfield Road, applauded as ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was echoed before kick-off. Goosebumps alone are not enough to describe the atmosphere of a European night at the famous stadium.
Liverpool immediately stepped on the gas, if only they were more clinical, maybe the match had already been determined before half an hour.
The Reds it took just nine minutes to take the lead, Trent Alexander-Arnold chasing Mohamed Salah’s pass and his cross which hit FIkayo Tomori’s leg ripped Mike Maignan’s net.
Five minutes later the ball was in the white spot and Milan’s cold sweat was pouring out. Salah has scored his last 17 penalties, last missing in October 2017, but Maignan broke that streak up front The Kop.
Liverpool is increasingly rampant. They had fired half a dozen shots in the first 30 minutes and forced seven corners.
However, they couldn’t even seal the lead, and at halftime, were punished to the fullest.
Ante Rebic equalized with Milan’s first meaningful strike and in just 108 seconds, Rossonerri steal the lead. Ex youngster Manchester City’s Brahim Diaz completes the ball that was blocked by Andy Robertson.
Liverpool were stunned, they fell behind when they should have been unbeaten. The long whistle of the first half sounded, it was time to rest and refocus, to attack the second half.
And they attack absurdly. The Reds The equaliser four minutes after the start of the second half, thanks to Salah’s cross which uses Divock Origi’s sweet pass.
Surprisingly Origi was named as a starter, the first time since late January, but the Belgian can indeed be relied on when Liverpool are in need. He played an hour before being substituted for Sadio Mane, and deserved a standing ovation.
But the loudest roar will be heard. Twenty-one minutes before the break, Diogo Jota forced a corner, which was launched by Alexander-Arnold. Ismael Bennacer could have cleared it, but the ball fell to Henderson who was lurking on the outside of the box. Hendo’s kick was truly sublime, and flew perfectly low into the right corner of Maignan’s goal.
It was Henderson’s first Champions League goal in nearly seven years, his first in nine months in any game. And a fitting closing for the duel of two European giants.
“I don’t score a lot of goals, so it’s nice to be on the scoresheet,” Henderson told BT Sport post game.
