Liverpool’s second tier fought back to knock AC Milan out of Europe with a 2-1 win at San Siro, while goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi helped the Reds become the first English team to win all six games in a group stage of the Champions League.
Milan needed to win to have a chance of progressing to the last 16 and took the lead in the first half via England defender Fikayo Tomori, much to the delight of home support.
But Salah soon equalized with his 20th goal of the season in all competitions and Origi, who scored an injury time winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday in the Premier League, headed home Liverpool’s second goal after the break.
Jurgen Klopp’s squad became the first English team to experience a perfect campaign in the group stage of the Champions League, finishing first in Group B with 18 points. They also took a sixth straight win in the competition for the first time in their history.
Milan came last with four points in their first Champions League campaign since 2013-14, when Atletico Madrid defeated Porto 3-1 and reached the knockout stage by taking second place with seven points, two to the Portuguese side.
With first place wrapped up for kick-off, Klopp made eight changes to his side, giving Origi a rare start to his exploits against Wolves.
San Siro was in full voice for an opportunity to win, and the noise level rose further when Takumi Minamino missed a corner in the 29th minute, forcing Alisson Becker to parry the ball into Tomori’s path for an easy finish.
But just as the home crowd began to believe in an unlikely final day’s rise to the top two, Salah struck.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hopped into the penalty area and his shot was blocked by Mike Maignan, but the Egyptian reacted quickly and shot in.
Salah became the first Liverpool player to score 20 or more goals in five consecutive seasons since Ian Rush, who scored six in a row between 1981 and 1987.
Tomori was punished when he gave the ball in front of his goal to Sadio Mane after half-time, as the winger’s shot was well blocked by Maignan, after which Origi headed in the rebound.
It was the Belgium international’s first goal in the Champions League since he scored in the 2019 final against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Rossoneri played with more goal in the second half, but were unable to find an equalizer. Franck Kessie lost their best chance when he was refused one-on-one by Alisson.
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