Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been working as a senior advisor to AC Milan since December

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been slammed by the Italian press after AC Milan's defeat to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been described as a "kitten" by the Italian media after AC Milan's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday night.

Goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai helped the Reds to a statement victory in the Champions League.

For the seven-time winners of the competition, however, it was a night to forget as the defeat sees the pressure mount on Paulo Fonseca, who has won just one of his first five matches since being appointed as Stefano Pioli's replacement in the summer.

'The lion becomes a kitten' - Zlatan Ibrahimovic savaged by Italian press for Liverpool defeat	Zlatan Ibrahimovic gives verdict on his son after playing against Liverpool	AC Milan legend and Man Utd icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic makes his feelings clear on Liverpool

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And following the defeat, Calciomercato has levelled criticism at Ibrahimovic - a senior advisor at the club since December - for the club's decision-making, calling the legendary forward a "kitten".

READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk sends strong Liverpool message to team-mates about 'outside pressure'

READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk explains Liverpool 'sacrifice' have to make this season after AC Milan win

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Before the game, the Swede had hit back at Milan's critics following a poor start to the season by referring to himself as a "lion" and those taking aim at the club as "kittens".

Now, that particular jibe has been thrown back at Ibrahimovic.

"Already in the pre-match there were some unfortunate statements from Ibrahimovic, in a 'braggart' version," read a Calciomercato article on Wednesday.

"One could say that when Milan loses, quoting the Swede, the lion becomes a kitten and doesn't show his face."

But the criticism didn't stop there as the publication slammed Milan's performance as a "complete disaster", with Fonseca described as a coach who "continues to understand nothing about this team." The decision to hire the Portuguese coach, meanwhile, is dubbed a cheap appointment that has "failed" just two months into the 2024-25 season.

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Liverpool will face AC Milan's Serie A rivals Bologna in their next Champions League game on October 2.