By: Shane Brennan.
Liverpool returned to the San Siro to take on Inter Milan in the first leg of the last sixteen in The Champions League knockout stages.
It was the Italian side who started much the better, with the first real chance of the game coming about after a strong period of possession for Milan, the ball ended up dropping to Lautaro Martínez, who struck a vicious shot that went just wide of Alisson Becker’s right hand post.
It was Liverpool’s turn to create half a chance next, as the ball was given away by Stefan de Vrij it was capitalised on by Fabinho, who found Sadio Mane, he played the ball nicely into Mohamed Salah’s feet, The Egyptian twisted and turned to get his shot away, but de Vrij was in the way to atone for his own error.
From the resulting corner there was pin ball in the box, the ball managed to find its way to Fabinho who attempted to divert the ball goal wards, but de Vrij was in the way yet again, the ball ended up coming out to Thiago Alcantara, who had a decent shot, but it just had a little bit too much on it, as the effort went narrowly over the crossbar.
Liverpool then won a free kick, Trent Alexander-Arnold played a tempting ball into the box, Mane was left as free as a bird, sadly he could only put his header over the bar, in what was Liverpool’s best chance of the first half.
Milan were then to have a superb opportunity, when Ivan Perišić found Hakan Çalhanoğlu who rattled the crossbar, as Liverpool survived by the skin of their teeth.
The second half started well once again for the Italians, having plenty of possession, constantly proving for an opening down the sides of the Liverpool defence, it was through the middle though where Milan thought they had done enough, as Edin Dzeko raced through on goal, the Bosnian stuck the ball away well, but Liverpool’s defensive line held well firm, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate deserving full marks in playing Inters target man offside.
It was then Liverpool’s turn to threaten the break through once again as, Trent Alexander-Arnold played in substitute Luis Diaz, who’s shot was blocked by heroic defending through, Milan Skriniar as The Reds pushed for a massive advantage in the tie.
Liverpool’s luck was well and truly in because in the 75th minute, Andy Robertson’s corner found Roberto Firmino, the Bobby Dazzler glanced his header perfectly passed Samir Handanovic, as the smash and grab was on.
Then Ivan Perišić Tried to get Inter back on terms with a smashing curling effort, luckily from The Reds point of view the ball sailed over Alisson Becker’s crossbar.
Then it was time for Liverpool to really put the icing on top of the cake, as a classic European away performance was to be rewarded with a second goal, as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ball found Virgil van Dijk, who nodded the ball down for Salah, who made no mistake via a deflection, as Liverpool secured a massive win in the 83rd minute.
Overall it was a solid defensive display from The Reds who rowed their luck at times, but ultimately it was a job well done.
Up next for The Reds is the visit of Norwich to L4 on Saturday afternoon.
