Seventh CL success in a row
Liverpool wins late, but cold as ice
02/16/2022, 11:07 p.m
Inter Milan put pressure on, but Liverpool FC wins. Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah make the difference in the Champions League round of 16 first leg. For the team of coach Jürgen Klopp it is the seventh success in the premier class in a row.
Jürgen Klopp’s “Reds” Express is racing towards the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The German star coach celebrated with the English top club FC Liverpool in the round of 16 first leg at Italy’s champions Inter Milan 2-0 (0-0) after an already flawless preliminary round, the seventh success in a row in the European premier class. Liverpool’s starting position for the second leg on March 8th at Anfield is almost ideal after their seventh win in a row.
Inter Milan: Handanovic – Skriniar, de Vrij (Ranocchia 87), Bastoni (90+1 Dimarco) – Dumfries (Darmian 89), Brozovic, Perisic – Vidal (Gagliardini 87), Calhanoglu – Martinez (Alexis Sanchez 70), Dzeko . – Trainer: Inzaghi
Liverpool: Alisson – Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson – Fabinho (59th Henderson) – Thiago (86th Milner), Elliott (60th Keita) – Salah, Diogo Jota (46th Roberto Firmino), Mane (59th Diaz ). – Trainer: Klopp
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Gates: 0-1 Roberto Firmino (75′), 0-2 Salah (83′)
Joker Roberto Firmino (75th) and striker Mohamed Salah (83rd) provided Liverpool’s late goals. Former Hoffenheim’s Firmino, who came on as a substitute in the second half, reacted the quickest after a corner by Andy Robertson.
Both teams hardly held back in the first round. However, Klopp’s team tried in vain to control the game. Because Inter used many small mistakes by the Brits with the former Bundesliga professionals Arturo Vidal, Edin Dzeko, Ivan Perisic and Hakan Calhanoglu in the initial formation to make promising switchovers.
Liverpool had their first significant opportunity through Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations hero Sadio Mane (14′). However, the home team had the best chance before the break when Calhanoglu shot the crossbar (16′) on assist from Perisic, who had won the double with Borussia Dortmund under Klopp in 2012.
Dzeko scores – Offside
In the second half, Klopp’s team had a moment of shock after 15 minutes: Dzeko pushed in after a long pass to put the Lombards in the lead, but the goal was disallowed because the ex-Wolfsburg player was narrowly offside. Inter, who were still unable to use their national player Robin Gosens (muscle injury), who was signed in January, increased the pressure more and more during this phase. The Reds only get relief actions.
Firmino’s goal was all the more surprising. Another inattentiveness in Inter’s defense was used by Salah shortly afterwards to make a decision.