Clinical Liverpool are just a foot away from securing a Quarterfinal spot after two late goals against Inter Milan in San Siro.
Liverpool went back to San Siro with the hope of picking up from where they left off, previously, they beat AC Milan in the group stage. Meanwhile, for Inter Milan, it was their first Champions League Knockout Round appearance since 2012.
The visitors went into the game in fine form with a sixth win on the bounce in their last outing against Burnley. On the other hand, Simone Inzaghi’s men are also in solid form. The Nerazzurri battled hard to get into the round of 16 for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
The first leg was expected to be a tough examination for Klopp’s Liverpool.
And with that, Inter Milan started brightly with some good moves. Both the wing-backs for Inter played their part well especially Ivan Perisic. Liverpool had more of the ball but surely Inzaghi’s side were a lot closer to scoring.
With both sides going into the break goalless, both managers will be expecting a clinical edge from their sides in the second half.
The introduction of Firmino, Henderson, and Diaz proved crucial for Liverpool. Every time, Diaz had the ball in his feet he looked threatening. Meanwhile, Henderson played a good 30 mins where he was calm.
And all of a sudden, Liverpool lead 1-0 from a corner after a brilliant header from Firmino. And eight minutes later, Mo Salah made it 2-0 to settle the tie in favor of the Reds.
The strength in depth provided a vital result at San Siro for Liverpool.
In the end, Liverpool have been the better side to wrap up the victory and return to Anfield with an advantage in the tie.
Key numbers from the game
Since losing to Marseille in the Last 16 of the competition in March 2012, Inter Milan played their first Champions League knockout stage game for the first time in 10 years.
Harvey Eliott overtook Trent Alexander Arnold to become the youngest Liverpool player to start in a Champions League game.
Mo Salah is now the second player after Peter Crouch to score against both AC Milan and Inter Milan in the same Champions League season.
Salah also added another record in the game. The Egyptian has now scored in eight consecutive away Champions League games.
Inter Milan 0-2 Liverpool: Post match reaction
Klopp firstly speaks about the impact of Liverpool’s substitutions
The boys who came on had a proper impact, all three were really, really good. Bobby scored and from there we controlled the game and scored a really nice second one – again after a set-piece.
Klopp’s take on Diogo Jota’s injury
No, I don’t know that. A twisted ankle, it’s swollen, that’s not obviously a good sign, but we have to see.
When asked about whether he was pleased with Liverpool’s defensive display
Absolutely, absolutely.
I thought defensively it was a really strong performance, but it would be silly if we wouldn’t defend well because it means a lot to us this competition and these games, so we invested a lot and it’s good.
Klopp reacts to whether they had worked on the set-piece for the first goal
Yes. Pete Krawietz and our analysts are responsible for that.
When we do the analysis, we obviously see how the opponent is defending – everybody is doing that – and we didn’t have a lot of time to train, but yes we trained set-pieces yesterday.
What’s next for Liverpool
Liverpool are up against relegation candidates Norwich City in their next outing in the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday.
An important tie for both teams, with one team eyeing to close the gap at the top. While the other fighting for every single point to survive in the league.
