Liverpool earned a crucial Champions League victory at the San Siro, thanks to an 88th-minute penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai, overcoming Inter Milan in a tense encounter. The win provides much-needed relief for manager Arne Slot and the Reds amid off-field turmoil surrounding Mohamed Salah.

Salah Controversy Overshadows Pre-Match Build-Up

Much of the pre-match discussion focused on Mohamed Salah’s absence from Liverpool’s squad. The Egypt forward publicly criticized the club, claiming they had “thrown him under the bus,” and reportedly has a strained relationship with Slot. Salah’s exclusion meant the Reds had to rely on other attacking options, with Szoboszlai stepping up decisively in the final moments.

The Decisive Moment: Szoboszlai’s Penalty

The match remained deadlocked until the 88th minute when Florian Wirtz was pulled down in the box by Alessandro Bastoni. Following a VAR check, Slot’s side were awarded a penalty. Szoboszlai confidently converted, despite Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer diving in the right direction, securing Liverpool’s 1-0 victory.

The win lifts Liverpool into the top eight of the Champions League group stage, guaranteeing automatic qualification for the last 16. Inter, by contrast, dropped to fifth in the group on equal points, suffering their first home defeat in the competition since September 2022 against Bayern Munich.

Key Moments and Disallowed Goal

Liverpool thought they had opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Ibrahima Konaté nodded in a corner, but the goal was disallowed after VAR determined the ball had struck Hugo Ekitike’s arm en route to Konaté.

Throughout the first half, Liverpool forced several saves from Sommer, with Curtis Jones, Szoboszlai, and Ekitike all testing the Inter goalkeeper. Inter’s Nicolo Barella and Lautaro Martinez also threatened, but were denied by goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Liverpool Tactical Setup and Performance

Slot opted for a 4-1-2-1-2 formation with a diamond in midfield. This tactical shift allowed Liverpool to control possession and increase tempo, with Jones orchestrating play from the midfield.

Alexander Isak and Ekitike started together, but Isak struggled with Inter’s defensive physicality and was replaced by Wirtz in the 68th minute. Despite these challenges, Liverpool demonstrated spirit, organization, and resilience, particularly in the absence of Salah and Cody Gakpo, who is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.

Player of the Match

• Dominik Szoboszlai – 8.05 – decisive penalty and overall attacking influence
• Yann Sommer – 5.77 – key saves for Inter
• Lautaro Martinez – 5.41 – threats limited by Liverpool defense
• Alessandro Bastoni – 5.36 – conceded penalty

Liverpool’s teamwork and mental fortitude under pressure were evident, with Szoboszlai and Jones emerging as pivotal contributors.

What’s Next?

• Liverpool host Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00 GMT) before traveling to Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday, 21 January.
• Inter Milan face Arsenal in Europe on Tuesday, 20 January, needing to rebound from this defeat.

Champions League Implications

The win boosts Liverpool’s hopes of progressing from the group stage without needing a play-off. Slot’s side now enjoys a run of four unbeaten games, stabilizing confidence after a difficult spell of nine defeats in 12 matches. Inter will need strong performances in their remaining fixtures to challenge for qualification.