Inter ended Liverpool’s 100 per cent Champions League record with a Lautaro Martinez stunner to win at Anfield, but exit the competition 2-1 on aggregate after an Alexis Sanchez red card.
The Reds won the first leg 2-0 at San Siro, despite the Nerazzurri having the better of the game for long periods. Nicolò Barella was still suspended, having also missed the first match, and Alexis Sanchez was chosen to partner Lautaro Martinez. Roberto Firmino was out injured, but Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara returned.
A Denzel Dumfries half-volley and Virgil van Dijk header were straight at the goalkeepers, while Trent Alexander-Arnold made a decisive interception to stop Alexis Sanchez sending Ivan Perisic clear and again blocked off Lautaro Martinez.
Play was halted for a few minutes after a medical emergency in the stands, which was attended to by
Joel Matip was unlucky not to open the scoring on 30 minutes when his header from a free kick thumped the crossbar. On the following corner, Virgil van Dijk’s header was deflected off Milan Skriniar.
Inter had a big chance just before half-time, Hakan Calhanoglu’s free kick beaten away by Alisson at the far bottom corner.
Alexis Sanchez was perhaps fortunate to avoid a red card for his high foot on Thiago Alcantara. In first half stoppages, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free kick whistled wide of the near top corner.
Liverpool had a huge chance on 52 minutes, as Handanovic rushed off his line to push the ball off the foot of Diogo Jota and Salah incredibly fired the rebound onto the upright of an open goal.
Calhanoglu’s effort was charged down from the edge of the box, while Lautaro Martinez’s scuffed finish was deflected just wide.
Inter did take the lead at Anfield with an absolutely stunning solo strike from Lautaro Martinez, into the far top corner from the edge of the box, his first Champions League goal since November 2020. That made it 2-1 on aggregate for Liverpool and broke Lautaro’s drought after his Serie A hat-trick last week.
WOOOOW! 😱
Lautaro Martínez with an incredible strike for Inter! 🚀#UCL pic.twitter.com/i550cMNY5T
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 8, 2022
However, within a couple of minutes the hopes were dashed when Alexis Sanchez received his second yellow card for a late challenge on Fabinho. It was perhaps a little harsh, but then he was fortunate to avoid a straight red in the first half for his studs-up tackle on Thiago Alcantara.
Marcelo Brozovic also picked up an injury and Liverpool were denied by the woodwork for a third time, the upright keeping out a Salah volley.
Another Van Dijk header from a corner was deflected wide off Matias Vecino and in stoppages Vidal made an astonishing block to prevent Luis Diaz scoring from point-blank range.
Inter become the sixth Italian side to win at Anfield, but it’s not enough to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Liverpool 0-1 Inter (2-1 agg)
Lautaro Martinez 62 (I)
Sent off: Alexis Sanchez 63 (I)
Total respect for Inter
Please note even though Inter exit the round, but they have beaten Liverpool at their home….it will make Klopp and his team are only shy as they only won by goal aggregate.
This is why I love my Inter.. Sad for the exit but still proud for the team effort.. Liverpool is top three club in Europe now, and Inter showed that they can compete with everyone..
Inter was never going to beat Liverpool hahahaha
Its ckear difference in level of teams, italian team much better quality in 2 legs, simply that red card was decisive. Cricet nation will never be in same level with fottball nation, even arabian billions cant help them to be in same level
@Adp you watching different games
Dustbinter got lucky as Liverpool hit the woodwork 3 times and as per usual Dustbinter rode their luck. They are a dirty cry baby team starting first with Milan The Dirty Slovak Skriniar, whiner in chief Inzaghi and hatchet man Sanchez. Great strike by Lautaro I will admit but they created nothing and Liverpool were too casual but the better team goes through. Now over to Juventus the serial whipping boys of Europe (7/9) to play padlock football even at home to Villarreal.
This is why you don’t play washes up “name” players
Sanchez serves no purpose and Serie A has to stop signing and playing these guys constantly
Very proud of our performance tonight. Over the two legs we performed very well against one of the 3 favourites for the tournament. Hopefully we can carry this through for the rest of the season and Lautaro doesn’t drop off the boil again.
@Adp
So what did they do? Did they just beat them anyway?
@LORD ALLEGRI PATRON SAINT OF SLOW BALL… Win something in Europe then talk, otherwise you look like recycled clown who, not even real clown! Now tell me when you win something in Europe? Can’t remember? Let me remind you, more than a quarter of a century ago! No ref no party eh? Yeah even people outside of Italy figured that out.
Decent effort by Inter over the two games, given their lack of depth and poor form.
Pity there was a red card, as it left Inzaghi between a rock and a hard place as far as what to do went.
3 Italian teams left in Europe now, one in each competition. Atalanta have a tough tie coming up, but they and Roma seem the best bet for Serie A’s slim hopes of a trophy this season.
Milan fans are so insufferable. You guys lost to Liverpool B and dared to mock Inter who won at Anfield? at least unlike Milan, Inter managed to actually outplay Liverpool at times. Pathetic inferiority complex knowing that your team is inferior and would be undeserving of a scudetto even if you somehow win it.
Milan fans are so insufferable. You guys lost to Liverpool B and dared to mock Inter who won at Anfield? at least unlike Milan, Inter managed to actually outplay Liverpool at times. Pathetic inferiority complex knowing that your team is inferior and would be undeserving of a scudetto even if you somehow be lucky enough to win it.
Liverpool hit the post 3 times in this game. Did not even have to come out of second gear.
Typical EPL fanboi. If their team lost it’s not because the opponent is good enough to outplay them but rather their team didn’t play seriously. Too much kool-aid from English commentators. Inter also hit the post and conceded a deflection goal in the 1st leg but of course you won’t mention that.
Still better than getting destroyed by Liverpool B like Milan though.
Well done Inter. A great display over two legs.
I think it needs to be stated that Inter goal was to advance from the group stage which the team did with a game in hand. How many coaches have failed to do just that. Then when it was Ajax the goal was to go through but when it changed to Liverpool the goal was to have a good perfomance and at least a win at one of the leg. That is exactly what happened at no point were Inter expected to go through and to do it would’ve been much more risky for the next goal which is to win the league. If Inzaghi actually win the league his name will start being mentioned as one of the best modern coaches if Inter actually get proper additions in the transfer then Inter can actually start to challenge and win against the likes of Liverpool. The rest of Italian teams tho are couple of levels below the likes of Liverpool
Good riddance Inter.