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| Mohamed Salah of Liverpool FC controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group B match between AC Milan and Liverpool FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 7, 2021 in Milan, Italy. |
Liverpool's second-string side have fought back to knock AC Milan out of Europe with a 2-1 victory at the San Siro as goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi helped the Reds become the first English team to win all six games in a Champions League group stage.
Milan needed to win to stand any chance of progressing to the last 16 and went in front through their England defender Fikayo Tomori in the first half to cheer the home support.
But Salah soon equalised with his 20th goal of the season in all competitions and Origi, who came on to score an added-time winner against Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, headed home Liverpool's second after the break.
It was the Belgium international's first goal in the Champions League since he scored the second in a 2-0 win in the 2019 final against Tottenham Hotspur.
Jurgen Klopp's side became the first English team to enjoy a perfect Champions League group stage campaign, finishing top of Group B with 18 points.
It was also the first time in their history that they had chalked up a sixth consecutive victory in the competition.
"What the boys did tonight, I could not be more proud," Klopp told BT Sport.
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| Mohamed Salah of Liverpool FC celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates during the UEFA Champions League group B match between AC Milan and Liverpool FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 7, 2021 in Milan, Italy. |
"The performance was outstanding. Having 21 shots, so many situations where we played outstandingly well and defended passionately and well organised."
Milan came last with four points in their first Champions League campaign since 2013-14, as Atletico Madrid beat Porto 3-1 to reach the knockout stage by taking second spot with seven points, two ahead of the Portuguese.
With top spot wrapped up before kick-off, Liverpool made eight changes, handing Origi a rare start after his heroics against Wolves.
"We chose that line-up because we wanted to win the game. We needed fresh legs," Klopp explained.
"We needed desire to play this game which is difficult in this hectic schedule to always be on fire for the next game."
Salah became the first Liverpool player to score 20 or more goals in five consecutive seasons since Ian Rush, who did so for six campaigns in a row between 1981 and 1987.
