In a Champions League Round of 16 match between two past champions, Liverpool rode their luck for the majority of the game before scoring two late goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah to defeat Inter Milan. Firmino came off the bench in the first leg match at San Siro on Wednesday night and scored the game’s opening goal in the 75th minute with a brilliant header from a corner.
And eight minutes later, Salah scored to give the Reds a two-goal lead when they host the Serie A champions at Anfield next month. Liverpool’s two goals in the final 15 minutes of the game gave them a good cushion as they maintained their hopes of reclaiming the European title.
For long stretches, the Reds rode their luck, not least when Hakanalhanoglu collected Ivan Periic’s cross and shot against the crossbar 16 minutes in. Alhanoglu was crucial for the hosts, providing excellent set-piece deliveries that allowed Milan Kriniar and Denzel Dumfries to go close with their heads.
When J rgenKlopp made a triple change just before the hour, with his team on the back foot, Sadio Man’s first-half header was the closest Liverpool had come. After Edin D eko’s effort was ruled out for offside, the momentum began to shift, with Firmino’s beautiful header from Andy Robertson’s corner completely tipping the scales.
Salah completed a classic away performance with a goal inside a crowded penalty area with just seven minutes remaining. JuergenKlopp made four changes to his starting lineup from the weekend win over Burnley. IbrahimaKonate, Thiago Alcantara, and Diogo Jota were promoted to the starting lineup, while Harvey Elliott, at the age of 18 years and 318 days, became Liverpool’s youngest player to appear in a Champions League knockout match.
During an entertaining first 45 minutes, there were opportunities at both ends of the pitch. Early on, Lautaro Martinez and Thiago both went close with efforts from the edge of the box before they had some clear-cut chances. After rising highest to meet Andy Robertson’s free kick, Sadio Mane headed fractionally over from inside the penalty area.
Salah completed a classic away performance with a goal inside a crowded penalty area with just seven minutes remaining. JuergenKlopp made four changes to his starting lineup from the weekend win over Burnley. IbrahimaKonate, Thiago Alcantara, and Diogo Jota were promoted to the starting lineup, while Harvey Elliott, at the age of 18 years and 318 days, became Liverpool’s youngest player to appear in a Champions League knockout match.
During an entertaining first 45 minutes, there were opportunities at both ends of the pitch. Early on, Lautaro Martinez and Thiago both went close with efforts from the edge of the box before they had some clear-cut chances. After rising highest to meet Andy Robertson’s free kick, Sadio Mane headed fractionally over from inside the penalty area.