The beginning of each UEFA Champions League season restores the true rhythm of a European campaign, in which the continent's top teams mix in competition against each other and undergo new litmus tests as they aim to answer one question: Does their ambition match the ability to pull off their goals?

With Paulo Fonseca confident about Milan’s quality ahead of facing Liverpool, the Reds could be in for a difficult night at the San Siro if Arne Slot’s side are unable to shake off the rust gathered from this weekend’s historic defeat against Forest.

The United States player pool has never been more prominent in Europe’s top soccer leagues and two of its key players have scored on the opening night of the continent’s top competition.