Arne Slot says Liverpool have been keeping a close eye on 'SPECIAL' AC Milan star

Arne Slot has spoken highly of an AC Milan player who Liverpool have been keeping a close eye on recently.

Slot's side has defended well recently, but face a tough test on Tuesday night against the Italian giants at the San Siro.

Nottingham Forest’s winner courtesy of Callum Hudson-Odoi was the first goal the Reds have conceded this season after four Premier League games.

However, they face a tough challenge against a team with nine goals in their first four games, who are coming off the back of a 4-0 win at the weekend.

Arne Slot explains why Liverpool have been following Rafael Leão

Arne Slot spoke about the threat of Leão in his press conference on Monday: "You asked me if he is special? A lot of talk about him and I think he is a top player but people always talk about the top players and not those underneath," he said.

"We have studied his quality and he is one who catches your eye. How to stop him at his best, we defend as a team to stop the quality of Rafa Leão. They have quality players and he is one of their top players in my opinion."

What does Leão offer?

Leão is a tall, direct winger with explosive pace, who has been one of the best players in Serie A over the past couple of years. He has 48 goals and 41 assists in the league for Milan, and has also managed three goals in the Champions League, and will be hoping to add to that tally tonight.

Slot discussed the importance of defending "as a team", but the Portuguese winger will be hoping to expose the space in behind on Liverpool’s right flank, with left-back Theo Hernandez overlapping to create an overload on that side.

Alexander-Arnold ventured into midfield on the weekend, and if he drifts inside tonight, Leão will take the opportunity to run in behind.

On the left flank, Andy Robertson comes up against Christian Pulisic, who is in red-hot form and will also be difficult to stop, with Tijjani Reijnders and Ruben Loftus-Cheek also a threat from midfield.

Alexander-Arnold often has his defensive misgivings overstated by pundits and Liverpool's rivals, but he will have to ensure he is on top of his game tonight if he is to keep Leão quiet.

WATCH: AC Milan vs Liverpool in the Champions League on Prime Video.