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.
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)