Two late goals saw Liverpool secure a crucial Champions League last 16 first leg advantage over Inter on Wednesday night in an engrossing clash at San Siro.
Substitute Roberto Firmino’s flicked header and a deflected Mohamed Salah finish were the difference as the Nerazzurri’s resolve was eventually broken.
The visitors had the better of a frenetic first half, although it was Inter who went closest in a compelling 45 minutes of football. A low mist contributed to the unique atmosphere, with the noise cacophonous despite a reduced capacity due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Lautaro Martinez hit the stanchion from the edge of the box five minutes in, before Thiago Alcantara sliced a volley onto the roof of the net at the other end. Sadio Mane spurned Liverpool‘s best chance of the half when he headed Andy Robertson’s free kick over from just six yards out.
He was almost made to pay for that miss two minutes later when Hakan Calhanoglu popped up in the Reds’ box after good work from Ivan Perisic on the left, but he cracked his effort against the crossbar.
Mane had another opportunity midway through the half, but he misjudged an overhead kick and hit the side-netting. Trent Alexander-Arnold then stepped up and whipped a free kick just wide of the top left-hand corner.
Inter began the second period on the front foot and caused Liverpool issues with their intensity in midfield. They were stout at the other end, too, with Milan Skriniar doing brilliantly to block an effort from substitute Luis Diaz.
However, despite looking the more likely to go ahead they were brought crashing back down to earth with a quarter of an hour to go when Firmino rose to meet Robertson’s corner and flicked a header into the far corner.
Perisic came so close to levelling, but his powerful side-foot sailed over Alisson’s crossbar. With seven minutes remaining, Salah put Jurgen Klopp’s side into the driving seat in the tie, sweeping home a deflected shot after Virgil van Dijk’s knockdown and knocking the stuffing out of the hosts.
Here’s how the players rated…
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
3. Forwards
Liverpool player ratings
6. Midfielders
8. Substitutes
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