Liverpool end Dubai Super Cup with win over AC Milan

Having lost to Lyon earlier in the competition, Liverpool were unable to return to competitive action with some silverware under their belts.

Nevertheless, Jurgen Klopp will be delighted to have posted a morale-boosting win over their old foes, Mohamed Salah, Thiago Alcantara and Darwin Nunez all getting on the scoresheet, the latter netting twice during the closing stages.

While Alexis Saelemaekers had got Milan back on level terms in the first half, Liverpool were deserved winners at the Al-Maktoum Stadium.

In the penalty-shootout which took place to determine a bonus point, Kostas Tsimikas and Naby Keita both missed for Liverpool, allowing Milan to prevail 4-3 from 12 yards out.

Milan could have taken the lead soon after the opening whistle after Marko Lazetic was played through on goal, but the young Serbian's effort was fired off target.

Soon afterwards, Liverpool were in front. Some proactive play from Joel Matip lead to the defender teeing up Mohamed Salah, who had the routine task of passing the ball into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

While Liverpool continued to have the better of the game as it reached the half-hour mark, Milan were able to get back on level terms when Alexis Saelemaekers cut inside onto his left foot before finding the far bottom corner with a low effort.

However, Liverpool regained their lead before the half-time whistle, Thiago being perfectly placed on the edge of the area to control the ball and lash a low shot into the corner.

Klopp waited until just after the hour mark to introduce a flurry of replacements, most notably Nunez who recently represented Uruguay at the World Cup.

That stoppage allowed Milan to build some momentum in the game, even striking the woodwork through Youns Gabriele El Hilali in their search for an equaliser, but Nunez soon ended any hopes of a comeback.

After going close on a number of occasions, the summer arrival finally had the goal that his energetic performance deserved as he supplied a cool finish after getting on the end of a Bobby Clark pass.

Another youngster in Ben Doak who had hit the post soon after his introduction provided the assist for Nunez's second and Liverpool's fourth, the forward having the routine task of making the scoreline as comfortable as it deserved to be.l

While Liverpool were denied a perfect evening by what transpired in the penalty shootout, it will mattered little to Klopp as Liverpool now prepared to face Manchester City in the EFL Cup on December 22.