Liverpool secured a hugely significant Champions League victory at the San Siro, defeating Inter Milan in a performance that may prove pivotal in Arne Slot’s early tenure. The 1-0 win, sealed late by a coolly taken Dominik Szoboszlai penalty, marked Liverpool’s first away Champions League victory without Mohamed Salah since 2009—a statistic that underscores just how important the result was.

Szoboszlai Steps Up in Salah’s Absence

With Salah absent and watching from home almost 1,000 miles away, the pressure on Liverpool’s forwards was immense. Had Szoboszlai failed to convert his late penalty, the narrative surrounding Salah’s situation—and Liverpool’s form without him—would have intensified further.

Instead, the Hungarian midfielder showed composure well beyond his years, burying his penalty and sending the travelling fans into raptures. It was Szoboszlai’s 10th goal contribution of the season (five goals, five assists)—more than any other Liverpool player in the campaign so far.

At full-time, the Liverpool players walked directly toward the away end, where supporters loudly sang Arne Slot’s name. After a turbulent week, it was a moment of unity, defiance, and relief.

A Vital Win After a Turbulent Few Days

This victory came at the perfect time. Liverpool entered the match amid their toughest spell under Slot, losing nine of their previous 12 games. Confidence had dipped, results were inconsistent, and off-field issues involving Salah had overshadowed preparations.

But with chief executive Michael Edwards in attendance at the San Siro, Liverpool produced their most disciplined performance in weeks.

• Slot made tactical adjustments that improved defensive stability
• The team kept a clean sheet—an essential response after the collapse at Leeds
• Liverpool travelled with a thin 19-man squad but still showed resilience and cohesion

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker said earlier in the week that the players were “fully behind” their manager. In Milan, the squad demonstrated exactly that.

Van Dijk and Robertson Emphasise Unity

Speaking after the match, Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the recent criticism but insisted the team remains united:

“We have to stick together. We want to improve, we want to be consistent. That’s what Liverpool stands for.”

Left-back Andy Robertson added:

“We all needed it. The results haven’t been good enough. It was a huge result for all of us.”

Their comments reflect a squad attempting to rebuild momentum after a difficult run.

The Ongoing Salah Situation

Inevitably, questions about Mohamed Salah dominated the post-match interviews.

Former Netherlands star Clarence Seedorf suggested that players sometimes “make mistakes”, prompting Slot to respond:

“Everyone makes mistakes. But does the player know he’s made a mistake? Should the initiative come from him or from me? That’s another question.”

Van Dijk declined to go into detail, simply saying:

“He didn’t travel based on the consequences of what he said. Mo trained normally. We’ll see what happens when we return.”

Despite the uncertainty, Slot emphasised that the night belonged to those who did play.

Szoboszlai’s Rise Continues

Slot was full of praise for the match-winner:

“He is doing something special physically and football-wise. He stood up in a difficult moment.”

Playing four matches in 10 days, Szoboszlai has become a key figure in Liverpool’s midfield. Wednesday’s penalty was his first-ever spot-kick for the club, but he struck it with confidence.

Ending Inter’s Long Home Undefeated Run

Inter Milan had been unbeaten in 18 consecutive Champions League home matches, making Liverpool’s win even more impressive. It was also their fourth victory at the San Siro in the last four years, demonstrating the club’s continued strength on European nights.

Slot highlighted the significance:

“The focus should be on the players who were here. Winning at a stadium like this is special.”

A Turning Point for Arne Slot?

Whether this result marks a true turning point remains to be seen. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last four matches after their poor run, and the team appears to be stabilising.

For now, though, the win in Milan provides:

• A much-needed confidence boost
• Evidence that Liverpool can compete without Salah
• A sign that Slot’s tactical ideas are beginning to take shape
• Proof of squad unity after a chaotic 72 hours

In the end, Liverpool showed that—with or without Salah—the club moves forward.