The UEFA Champions League group stage is set to get underway this week as 32 sides attempt to move one step closer towards the knockout stage of the competition.
The European Cup has been hoisted by some of the greatest clubs in world football over the years and two of them, Liverpool and AC Milan, will meet on Merseyside for what many are dubbing the “trilogy” match given the astonishing history they’ve shared together in the last few decades.
Liverpool
Liverpool and the UCL is a love story as old as time and we’re expecting to see that trend continue this season. Their six triumphs in this competition have, in many ways, defined the modern history of the club in the red half of the city.
Their squad is more than good enough to make another surge towards the latter stages of the knockouts and, in more ways than one, that’s what is expected of them at this level.
Williams and Firmino are out through injury with Harvey Elliott now being on the shelf for an extended period thanks to the nasty ankle injury he suffered against Leeds.
AC Milan
After years of being on the outside looking in, it’s starting to feel like AC Milan are finally back in the big time. They may not have succeeded in their quest to win the Serie A title but breaking back into the top four feels like a pretty good back-up, all things considered. They’ll march into battle tomorrow night knowing that while there may not be as much pressure as there would be at home, their supporters will still be out for blood.
Giroud was previously considered to be a doubt for this game but will now fight for a place in the staring XI alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Elsewhere, Krunic and Bakayoko are both out of action through injury.
