By Daniel Ghorbal
The first Champions League knockout game with a full Anfield crowd since March 2020 is upon us, and spirits are quite rightly high in comparison to that dark night against Atletico Madrid in which a global pandemic beckoned and the reds suffered defeat.
Ahead of this one, Liverpool sit second in the Premier League, are in the quarter finals of the FA Cup, have won the League Cup and take a healthy 2-0 lead from the first leg against Inter Milan. The current Italian Champions felt hard done by when the two sides met in the San Siro, with Inzaghi’s side ruing missed chances and lapses of concentration defensively.
Ivan Perisic rattled the crossbar, whilst Alisson Becker remained largely untested throughout the contest. Some nous from what is a vastly experienced European side in Liverpool was what saw them win the game, with well-taken goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah taking control of the tie.
The lack of away goals in this seasons competition mean that this contest is far from over.
Although the odds are certainly against Inter coming to Anfield and winning by at least two goals, they are a side with more than enough quality to hurt Liverpool in key areas.
The continued absence of Nico Barella is a huge blow, but the likes of Vidal and Brozovic more than demonstrated their quality against the reds. Simone Inzaghi has operated with the 3-5-2 system throughout the season, but he will know more than anyone that some brave decisions will have to be made if they are to score a few goals and win the tie. Edin Dzeko’s experience and know how at the highest level is admirable, but whether or not he can threaten this Liverpool team on multiple occasions is yet to be seen.
Lautaro Martinez has been in wonderful form this season and will most certainly start this game, but the Argentinian could do with some better supply to bolster Inter’s chances. He looks sharp and dynamic in every game he plays, and the much talked about Liverpool high line could play into his favour. Very few inflict damage on Virgil Van Dijk but he is amongst Europe’s top strikers and is one the imperious centre-half will have to keep close tabs on.
Since Klopp has taken charge of Liverpool, only Atletico Madrid have come to Anfield and won, and in that time the likes of PSG, AC Milan, Manchester City and Barcelona have been beaten. It is undoubtedly one of the toughest places to possibly go for a knockout tie, but Inter Milan need to believe in their abilities and attack the game with venom.
The attacking nature of Alexander-Arnold and Robertson is a key way in which Liverpool play, but their counterparts Dumfries and Perisic need to gamble on long balls and hope that they can catch the full-backs out of position. Perisic was probably Inter’s best player in the first leg and if he can get the ball at his feet then the likes of Dzeko and Martinez can come alive.
The visitors’ early approach will be fascinating to see, at 2-0 down they have to show attacking intent but at the same time leaving space for the likes of Salah to run onto can be catastrophic. Staying in the tie until the latter stages has to be the aim, and if they were to keep it tight defensively and nick a goal then the vigour could be taken out of an expectant Liverpool crowd. Anfield should be bouncing for this one and Inter Milan need to match that and some.
