Champions Cup | Sunday 3 August 2014 | Charlotte, NC Stadium | 00:30 (90 minutes)
Liverpool will be looking for another victory in the Champions Cup when they take on an AC Milan side struggling to find pre-season form under new manager Filipo Inzaghi. It may be little more than friendly preparation for the 2014-15 campaign, but any contest assembling eight of the world’s best and brightest under one roof has to be treated with some element of the spectacular.
To Win (90mins)
Liverpool 15/10
Draw 22/10
AC Milan 18/10
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool’s fourth pre-season game of the summer saw them take on Olympiacos, where they picked up a
1-0 victory, their second win of the four.
The Reds handed first run-outs to a number of players involved at the World Cup, and one of those, Raheem Sterling, scored the fifth-minute goal, which turned out to be the winner.
Once more, Brendan Rodgers went with a 4-3-3 starting shape which saw the wide forwards try to cut infield and support the lone front man.
With no Luis Suarez about the place now, in that system, it becomes vital that the wide forwards and central midfielders do enough to occupy the “No. 10 space” at times and also run beyond the striker—Daniel Sturridge on this occasion—when he comes deep.
Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Sterling and Sturridge all made their first appearances of the summer following their World Cup campaign with England, whilst Serbian international forward Lazar Markovic made his debut.
The Reds are overwhelmed with attacking options this year following the signings of Adam Lallana, Markovic and Rickie Lambert, but Rodgers will look to Sturridge and Sterling to lead the ammunition up front.
AC MILAN
Italian giants AC Milan were crushed 5-1 by Manchester City in Group B of the Champions Cup last Sunday. Milan are a side in transition hoping to recover from what was one of their worst ever seasons.
They have some talented players but in general terms of personnel they are now way below City as a European footballing power, despite their seven European Cups.
Couple that with their 3-0 defeat to Olympiacos earlier last week and they make for outsiders in this one.
Sixteen-year-old Hachim Mastour is a starlet drawing that very same kind of coverage at the San Siro of late, and his inclusion in Filippo Inzaghi’s pre-season tour squad is astounding.
Mastour may come upon his first starting berth at some point in the Champions Cup, but expect the attacker to pose a threat on Liverpool’s defence, regardless of just how long it is that he gets to play.
Returning from a long-term injury this summer, Stephan El Shaarawy is almost like a new signing for Inzaghi to look forward too, his quick movement and skillfull play could come as great danger to Rodgers’ side.
Betting Verdict: LIVERPOOL
AC Milan have been poor in their last two games, conceding 8 goals while scoring just 1. The Reds have been impressive and don’t give away goals too easily. Liverpool are tipped for the win at 15/10.
Written by Chadley Nagel for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Bet on this match now at Hollywoodbets.net! Haven’t got an account? Open one here now!