Player Ratings: AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool – captain fails to lead; several crumble

AC Milan failed to get a good result ahead of the Derby della Madonnina as Liverpool prevailed yet again at San Siro, this time 1-3. Several players struggled, with only a few doing okay, and below are the ratings for the Rossoneri. 

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out how we decide the player ratings. From the scale to what affects the rating, we have compiled everything there.

Starting XI

Maignan (5): He was rescued by the bar twice, made some good stops, but arguably should have done a lot better on the first goal. There’s no doubt about that, but he also could have got some more help on the second (or should he have come out there too?). Made a big save at the start of the second half which probably should help the rating, but then again the damage was already done.

Calabria (4.5): The captain struggled big time especially in the first half, aside from having a hand in the goal, as he was beaten several times on the right flank and also committed a very silly foul to concede a free kick. And on that free kick, Liverpool scored the equaliser. The positioning wasn’t there.

Tomori (6): Perhaps could have done better on the first goal, even if it was difficult to defend against, but he did well on other occasions to keep Milan from conceding more. Especially one sliding block/clearance when Liverpool looked certain to strike again.

Pavlovic (5): Honestly, Milan should force him to just train his passing for one week straight, because he really struggles when under pressure. We saw that on the third goal, which he gifted to Liverpool, and on several other occasions. He was also one of the players in and around Van Dijk on the second goal.

Hernandez (5.5): He was calm and collected when going forward, at least trying to get Milan out of dire straits, but the defending still leaves a bit to be desired. He was among the better players defensively but we also cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that Salah hit the bar twice (and more chances were created down that flank).

Fofana (5): To be fair, he grew into the game but only when Liverpool slowed down the tempo and stopped the high press. When the latter was applied, and at a time when Milan really needed more control in midfield, the Frenchman crumbled a bit with sloppy passing and this gave Liverpool some opportunities on the break.

Loftus-Cheek (5): There were a couple of good moments, but also some very heavy touches from the Englishman tonight. Furthermore, Milan lost the midfield battle big time and he had a hand in this, especially when the game was reduced to 50-50 duels that Liverpool always seemed to win.

Pulisic (6 – MOTM): It was a great goal with a great strike, but above all fantastic awareness to see that Konate hesitated. The goal is a large part of the rating because he faded a bit as the game went on even if he, to his credit, at least tried.

Reijnders (5.5): He didn’t have as much success as he would have liked between the lines, I’m sure, and the few opportunities he had in front of goal were missed. That being said, the way Milan play at times didn’t exactly help him.

Leao (5): Aside from one great dribbling run and one or two trademark Rafa runs on the left flank, we really didn’t see much from the winger. Milan really struggled to play out of the back in the middle of the first half and Leao could have been the one to help solve that. Could is the key word, as he didn’t involve himself anywhere near enough.

Morata (6): The Spaniard worked incredibly hard and had a big hand in the first goal, showcasing what he can do in the build-up (officially getting an assist). He continued to do well with the little he had to work with, so he gets a pass here.

Substitutes

Torriani (6): He couldn’t do anything about the goal and made a couple of good stops later on, as well as a good intervention high up the pitch. Given the circumstances, we can only give him a pass here.

Abraham (6): Looked very lively with his dribbling and above all speed, making life difficult at times for the Liverpool defenders. Just like the Venezia display, encouraging even if the result didn’t go our way.

Emerson Royal (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.

Gabbia (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.

Okafor (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.