'Stepped on the burners': BBC pundit wowed by £35m Liverpool player's energy in CL win over Milan tonight

Liverpool are up and running in the Champions League thanks to a solid win over AC Milan in Italy on Tuesday night.

The Reds didn’t get off to a good start, conceding early on in the game, but they duly turned things round to take three points back to Anfield.

Christian Pulisic broke the deadlock against Liverpool after just three minutes, firing in from a tight angle after some poor defending from the visitors.

However, Liverpool equalised in the 23rd minute thanks to Ibrahima Konate’s unmarked header from Cody Gakpo’s free kick delivery.

Then, on 41 minutes, Virgil van Dijk put the Reds 2-1 up thanks to an easy header from a Kostas Tsimikas corner, the Milan defence floundering once again.

Although Milan threatened to get back into the game in the second half, Liverpool held out and went on to add a third to make sure of victory.

Gakpo delivered a cross from the left with three Liverpool players waiting, and Dominik Szoboszlai was the man to get the final touch, a first-time finish with his knee.

It was the perfect response for Liverpool after their shock loss to Nottingham Forest at the weekend, with Arne Slot enjoying a great European win on his 46th birthday.

Stephen Warnock hails Cody Gakpo pace and energy in Liverpool win over AC Milan

BBC Sport pundit Stephen Warnock liked what he saw from the £35million Dutchman (The Guardian) in the lead-up to Szoboszlai’s goal.

“Turnover in possession and Liverpool counter-attack so quickly,” the former Liverpool ace said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It looked like Cody Gakpo was running on empty, but he slowed down Strahinja Pavlovic and then stepped on the burners.

“Gakpo found Dominik Szoboszlai and Szoboszlai guided it into the far corner. That should be the three points.”

What did local media outlets say about Gakpo’s display for Liverpool in Milan?

The Liverpool Echo gave Gakpo 8 out of 10 for his display against Milan.

‘Looked threatening whenever he had the ball and was too strong and powerful for Milan at times with his running and dribbling,’ they wrote.

‘Had a few shots that worked Maignan in the first half and low cross almost brought a goal from Salah. Brilliant run set up Szoboszlai for the third.’

Meanwhile, Liverpool World awarded Gakpo a 7 out of 10 rating for his efforts on the night.

‘Impressed on his first full start,’ they wrote.

‘On the free-kick for the equalizer, set up another chance when Salah hit the bar by beating two players at pace and also nearly netted just before half-time.

‘Brilliant showing to remind Slot about his ability – and he added a late assist for Szoboszlai.’

READ MORE: Liverpool sent scouts to watch ‘superstar’ England international last week

What next for Liverpool?

Liverpool host Bournemouth in Saturday’s 3pm Premier League kick-off at Anfield.