Liverpool 0-1 (2-1 on agg.) Inter Milan
There was a time early in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool reign that this Champions League tie may have caused unnecessary tension. An inconsistent defence coupled with uncertainty could contribute to that.
But not anymore, for the class of 2022 is a very different beast.
This tie was a prime example and an ideal display of game management by the Merseysiders.
Leading 2-0 from the first leg after a classy final quarter in the San Siro, the hosts were so measured and controlled not once did reigning Italian champions Inter Milan look like they could even threaten to turn the tie around – even after cutting that advantage in half.
Yes, there weren’t that many Champions League 2022 highlights to write about, but all that mattered for Liverpool was getting the job done as they edged to victory without ever being overly exerted.
Highlights of the game
The home side made four changes to the team that started the weekend league win over West Ham with Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip returning from injury and illness respectively and young Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota also named in the starting line-up.
Inter made one change to the side that started the first leg three weeks ago with ex-Manchester City man Edin Dzeko dropping to the bench as another former Premier League man, Alexis Sanchez, started in his place.
With Liverpool ready to finish off their visitors, Inter had to silence a passionate home crowd and defy the SBOTOP Champions League 2022 betting odds.
Only one team in Champions League history has ever lost the first leg of a knockout stage tie by two or more goals at home and still gone on to progress, with Manchester United doing so against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2018-19 last-16.
Yet at no point did Inter look like repeating that feat as measured Liverpool managed the game. And they would have extended their aggregate advantage had Matip not headed a Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick off the crossbar with Samir Handanovic helpless.
At the other end, Alisson pushed away a well-struck free-kick from Hakan Calhanoglu. But it was the home side who again went closest just before the break with the lively Alexander Arnold’s free-kick flying inches wide.
Seven minutes after the restart and Liverpool were denied by the woodwork for the second time when an unconvincing punch from Handanovic fell to Mohamed Salah, who struck the foot of the post.
Inter needed a moment of inspiration, and Lautaro Martinez provided it on the hour when he was played in by Sanchez and arrowed a super shot from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner.
However, if there was to be a chance for the home faithful to get nervous, it lasted merely a few minutes.
Sanchez, already on a booking, caught Fabinho on the ankle and, while harsh to some, was shown a second yellow card – much to the anger of the Inter bench where a member of coaching staff was also dismissed for taking his protests too far.
Liverpool may have been forgiven for thinking it wouldn’t be their night when Salah was denied again by the woodwork, this time the crossbar, after a pass by substitute Naby Keita.
It mattered not as Inter’s ‘regret’ at not scoring in the first leg came to pass.
With 11 men it may have been different but Liverpool were in control, even with the reverse scoreline causing a few nerves for their supporters.
The 2019 winners are through to the last eight and deservedly so.
Key statistics
Liverpool have progressed in all 35 of the European ties in which they won the away first leg – losing only four of those second legs but still prevailing on aggregate.
Martínez’s strike was his first Champions League goal for 490 days since netting against Real Madrid in November 2020.
Until tonight, Inter had lost four of their previous five away games against English sides in the Champions League.
This was Sadio Mane’s 50th appearance in the Champions League.
Salah has scored eight goals in eight Champions League appearances for Liverpool this season.
Liverpool have reached the Champions League quarter-final stage for the fourth time in the last five seasons, failing only in 2019-20.
What’s next?
A busy period for Liverpool continues with trips to Brighton and Arsenal in the Premier League over the next seven days, followed by an FA Cup quarter-final at Nottingham Forest on March 20.
Inter are back in Serie A action at Torino on Sunday before hosting Fiorentina in the league the following weekend.
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