Liverpool, UK- After a 2-0 away win in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16, Inter Milan visited the iconic Anfield Road to meet Liverpool again. Despite losing 1-0 to Inter Milan, Liverpool will survive to the quarterfinals
After the hour mark and entering with a hefty disadvantage, Inter’s frontman Lautaro Martinez cut into the lead with an absolutely beautiful shot from outside the box. However, Inter’s celebrations quickly turned into demise as a minute later, in the 63rd, Alexis Sanchez committed a reckless challenge, saw a yellow card be drawn and see himself be sent off. This episode would set up a frantic last half an hour as both sides know that one goal would level the score.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah had some great opportunities, but two of his shots bounced off the post. Although the priority was to defend the lead, with the numerical advantage, Liverpool insisted on pushing forward.
Credit Inter Milan’s defensive efforts. Winning away at Anfield has not been heard in over a year. Tonight Inter are disqualified from the UCL but leave with the head held high after ending Liverpool’s 28-game winning streak at home.
Gameplans
Liverpool contained Inter’s piercing runs forward while also covering open spaces off the ball to attempt to defend every inch of the pitch. However, this implied Inter had to come out swinging early if they intended on cutting the lead short. Attacking mainly from the left-wing, the Italian champions looked to take advantage of Ivan Pericic’s elite crossing ability to find an opener. However, the Nerazzurri were adamant on the attack, and that was on display in the 62nd minute with Lautaro Martinez’s peach of a shot.
Liverpool’s ability to create dangerous opportunities in attack is mainly due to how threatening their final pass is. Trent Alexander-Arnold just recently broke his personal record of assists in a season with 16 in all competitions. The English side is always a threat when crossing or finding the through balls. Tonight, the priority had to be to defend the lead. Although they did concede, their work in the first leg was enough of a helping hand to see them surviving tonight under the lights at Anfield.
