AC Milan dealt Zlatan Ibrahimovic blow ahead of Liverpool clash

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has confirmed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be fit to face Liverpool in Wednesday's Champions League opener at Anfield.

The 39-year-old made his first appearance of the season off the bench against Lazio and scored his side's second in a 2-0 victory - their third successive win in Serie A.

Ibrahimovic was expected to be in contention to lead the line at Anfield, but Pioli has revealed that tendon issues will prevent the Swede from returning to English soil.

Speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference, Pioli said: "Ibrahimovic would have played from the start but has pain in his tendon so it's better to not risk him.

"[Olivier] Giroud can play a good part of the game. I will choose one between him and [Ante] Rebic from the start."

Jurgen Klopp was also asked about Ibrahimovic ahead of the visit of the Rossoneri and responded: "Zlatan. What a player, what a player. I think I saw a few videos of him when he got injured a few months ago, and then I saw him, I'm not sure if he got surgery or not, but early enough on spinning bike and fighting back.

"If he is not playing, Giroud or Rebic is playing. They're all slightly different profiles but all really good. It'll be interesting but for sure, Zlatan is one of the best players ever in this game."

As far as Liverpool are concerned on the injury front, Klopp is awaiting an update on Harvey Elliott after the teenager underwent surgery on the ankle injury he sustained against Leeds United.