Liverpool vs Inter Milan: The Reds through to Champions League last-8 despite 1-0 loss

Lautaro Martinez' stunning second-half strike separated both side's but Alexis Sanchez was sent off and Liverpool held on to progress with a 2-1 aggregate win.

Inter Milan beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League last-16 second leg tie at Anfield on Tuesday; Credit: Twitter/@Inter_en
By Sreejith C R | Mar 9, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Liverpool are through to the quarter-finals of Champions League courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate win over Inter Milan. Lautaro Martinez’ stunning second half goal helped Inter to a 1-0 win in the round of 16 second leg fixture at Anfield on Tuesday. But Alexis Sanchez was sent off and the Reds held on to progress. Liverpool won the first leg at San Siro 2-0. The result ends Liverpool’s 100 percent Champions League record, an unbeaten run that extends back to last year for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Also read: Napoli vs AC Milan: Olivier Giroud strike sinks Luciano Spalletti’s men

Inter were competitive in the first leg but weren’t clinical in front of goal and were made to pay for it by Liverpool’s quality attacking lineup. The Reds produced another professional performance at home to get the job done. 

As expected Inter started the game with a bit of urgency with Denzel Dumfries’ half-volley going straight to the keeper. At the other end, Virgil van Dijk’s tame header from a corner was comfortably collected by Samir Handanovic.  

The hosts were playing a high-line of defence and the offside trap was keeping Inter at bay. On the half-hour mark, Joel Matip’s powerful header from Mohamed Salah’s free-kick rattled the crossbar. On the following corner Van Dijk’s header deflected off Milan Skriniar. 

Hakan Calhanoglu’s low free-kick was beaten away by Alisson before the break. Liverpool were finding it difficult to contain the movement and trickery of Sanchez, who was a surprise inclusion ahead of Edin Dzeko. 

The Chilean got his first yellow card of the night for a studs up challenge on Thiago Alacantra on the stroke of half-time. In first-half stoppage time, Trent-Alexander Arnold’s free-kick had Handanovic stretching but went just wide.  

Liverpool had a golden chance to take the lead on 52 minutes when Thiago’s nice little overhead ball almost found Diogo Jota inside the box by Handanovic rushed off his line to push the ball away and Salah incredibly fired the rebound onto the upright of an open goal. 

Martinez’ goal and Sanchez’ red card

On the hour mark, the visitors finally got the breakthrough they were looking for when Martinez’ stunning strike from just outside the box went past Alisson into the far top corner. It was the Argentine striker’s fourth goal in two games and first Champions League goal since November 2020.

Just when it looked like Inter were taking control of the game, Sanchez was sent off for a tackle on Fabinho that cost the visitors. The Chilean won the ball but his follow through caught Fabinho on the ankle and the striker received his second yellow card of the night. It was perhaps a little harsh, but then he was fortunate to avoid a straight red in the first half.

Liverpol began to dominate a tiring opposition in the final quarter of the game. Salah’s effort from Sadio Mane’s assist hit the post. Luis Diaz was also denied from point-blank range in the stoppage-time.

Inter became the first Italian side to win at Anfield, but it wasn’t enough to reach the champions League quarter-finals. 





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