AC Milan vs. Liverpool: Expected starting lineups, confirmed team news, and injury updates - Will Arne make changes for UCL clash?

AC Milan and Liverpool go head-to-head in a highly anticipated clash during the first matchweek of the revamped UEFA Champions League.

The Rossoneri faced the Reds in two finals between 2005 and 2007, the first ending in a penalty-shootout triumph for the Premier League club after a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down in Istanbul. In the second, Milan got revenge, winning 2-1 in Athens.

For this meeting in the new-look UCL league phase, Liverpool head to San Siro on the back of a dispiriting 1-0 home Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend — a result that ended Arne Slot's 100 percent record since taking over from Jurgen Klopp. The Dutch coach was disappointed with his team's performance and could be tempted to make some changes for this game.

Milan thrashed Venezia 4-0 to ease some pressure on head coach Paolo Fonseca, who had come under scrutiny following a winless run prior to the international break. Another defeat here would see the former Roma boss facing further questions over his suitability for the job.

The Sporting News looks at the latest predicted lineups and team news for this fixture.

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Fonseca may well stick with the majority of the team that put four past Venezia last weekend. That would mean USMNT star Christian Pulisic starts in attack alongside Rafael Leao. Alvaro Morata is still working his way back to full fitness from a muscle problem, but La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Monday that he would start this game, presumably in place of Tammy Abraham.

Fikayo Tomori could come in for Matteo Gabbia at centre-back, while Davide Calabria is back to fitness and will fight for Emerson Royal's place at right-back.

Ismael Bennacer is facing several weeks out with a calf problem sustained in the international break, but Tijjani Reijnders has found form in midfield of late and will hope to continue that this week.

AC Milan predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Maignan (GK) — Calabria, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez — Reijnders, Fofana, Loftus-Cheek — Pulisic, Abraham, Leao

Injured: Ismael Bennacer, Alessandro Florenzi, Marco Sportiello, Malick Thiaw
Suspended: 
Ineligible: Luka Jovic

Slot could be tempted to make some changes for Liverpool following the shock defeat to Forest.

Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez may hope to start in attack, while Curtis Jones is vying for a place in midfield after returning from injury. However, it seems unlikely he will start ahead of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister or Dominik Szoboszlai.

The back four should remain the same, assuming all players come through their recovery sessions unscathed.

Liverpool predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson — Gravenberch, Mac Allister — Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo — Nunez

Injured: Harvey Elliott
Suspended: 

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