Zlatan Ibrahimovic ruled out for UCL opener against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League
According to Mirror, AC Milan talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been ruled out of the Champions League clash against Liverpool. The 39-year old striker has suffered an Achilles injury. The injury has prevented the Swedish striker to be a part of Stefano Piolo’s travelling team to Anfield.
Liverpool are set to host the Italian giants AC Milan in the Champions League group stage game. The Italian giants will return to the premier European club competition after an eight-year absence. However, the Reds have been handed a boost as Milan will be without Ibrahimovic who is been ruled out of the clash due to injury.
The Swedish striker underwent a keyhole surgery on his knee which saw him miss the Euros 2020 this summer. However, the striker, after making the recovery, was back with the Milan team against Lazio last weekend and scored on his return. But another injury will see the former United player miss the game against Liverpool.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, in his pre-match conference, spoke highly of Zlatan’s exceptional qualities, he said:
“I think I saw videos of him when he got injured and then early enough he was fightback ‘Lions don’t rest long or whatever. He’s the man for exceptional moments. If he’s not playing, Giroud will play. All really good players.
Liverpool and Milan have a history between them as both the clubs, as the Reds famously made a comeback against the Italian team in the Final of 2004/05 UCL season. However, when asked about the reunion of the two teams, the manager said:
“I have more in mind than the two finals but if you think of any European battle, LFC v AC Milan is a must-watch. Milan has not been in CL for years but are doing well for 18 months. Started this season good so it’ll be tough.”
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Liverpool apart from aiming to win the Premier League this season will have the desire to win the European Cup as well. The Reds are in a good run of form so far and have come into the game against Milan with a 3-0 victory away at Leeds. It will be interesting to see how Milan copes with the loss of Zlatan in a tough game away at Anfield.
