Dubai Super Cup: Liverpool v AC Milan

Liverpool gear up for their final mid-season clash with AC Milan on Friday afternoon in the Dubai Super Cup, as they step up preparations for the return of the domestic season.

Dubai Super Cup

The warm-weather tournament lasts eight days and comprises of four teams – AC Milan, Arsenal, Liverpool and Olympique Lyonnais.

Each team plays two fixtures – with a penalty shootout taking place after every game, regardless of the result. Having come up short in the first tie against Lyon, Jurgen Klopp and his troops will have the ultimate opportunity to bounce back with the Serie A outfit.

Overview

The reigning Serie A champions are eight points adrift of the Napoli leaders. The Italian outfit have played 15 league matches so far, got 10 victories, three draws and two defeats.

Their first fixture in the Dubai Super Cup came against fellow Premier League side Arsenal, where they were beaten 2-1 at Al-Maktoum Stadium.

The Reds didn’t get off to a flying start in the domestic league. They sit in sixth place and banked 22 points in 14 games.

Liverpool made their debut in this competition against Lyon, who took all points. Although, there were many positive signs in the first half for Jürgen Klopp.

Head to Head

Both sides have locked horns four times in official games. Liverpool found themselves on the losing end just once and claimed all the spoils in the remaining three.

Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi are the latest players, who have netted against AC Milan back in December 2021. Their goal contribution let the team return to England with all points.

Team News

Liverpool have named an initial 33-man squad to the UAE with a host of youngsters being involved. Seven other players reported for the World Cup duty, those who were already knocked out will be handed a week off after their international duties.

As things stand, only Darwin Nunez has reunited with the club in sunny Dubai after Uruguay’s exit, and is set to take part against AC Milan. The likes of Alisson, Fabinho, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson are likely to return to training after the camp, while Ibrahima Konate is still fighting for World Cup glory.

Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Arthur, Kaid Gordan and Marcelo Pitaluga are still nursuring their issues.

Elsewhere, Florenzi, Leao, Ballo-Toure, Dest, Ibrahimović, Calabria, Maignan will be unavailable for selection. Denmark’s Simon Kjaer is in, though.

Olivier Giroud along with Theo Hernandez keep France’s hopes alive in Qatar, therefore they are absentees too.

Summary

When you think Milan, you think Istanbul. This time, however, you will associate Rossoneri with fan favourite Divock Origi.

No pressure for the Reds here, but wrapping-up the sun-drenched camp with a victory would be perfect. Having said that, it would be a proper incentive ahead of the EFL Cup meeting against Manchester City next Thursday.

I expect Liverpool to bounce back with a win, given Milan’s shortage of personnel.

YNWA

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