Liverpool secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday, thanks to a late penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai. The win comes amid a turbulent period for the Reds, with Mohamed Salah absent following a public dispute with manager Arne Slot.
Szoboszlai’s Late Penalty Secures Vital Three Points
The only goal of the match arrived in the 88th minute when Liverpool were awarded a penalty after a subtle shirt tug by Alessandro Bastoni on Florian Wirtz. Despite protests from Inter players, referee Felix Zwayer gave the spot kick, which Szoboszlai confidently converted past goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Before the decisive moment, the match had been largely uneventful. Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate had a close-range header disallowed for a handball by Hugo Ekitike in the 37th minute, and Inter struggled to create meaningful opportunities, especially without key chances in the first half.
Impact of Salah’s Absence
Liverpool played without star forward Mohamed Salah, who remained in England after criticizing Slot over limited playing time. Salah’s absence dominated pre-match narratives, with his claims of being “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool sparking media attention and speculation over his future.
Despite the Egypt international being sidelined, Liverpool managed to maintain composure and secure all three points, highlighting the squad’s depth and resilience in high-pressure Champions League fixtures.
Match Highlights and Key Moments
- First Half: Liverpool and Inter Milan struggled to create significant chances. Inter’s first shot only came in the 37th minute, while Liverpool threatened through Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch.
- Konate Disallowed Goal: A VAR check ruled out a Liverpool goal due to Hugo Ekitike’s handball.
- Second Half: The match remained deadlocked until the late penalty, which ultimately decided the game.
Liverpool fans cheered Slot’s name as the final whistle blew, recognizing the manager’s ability to navigate a challenging fixture without Salah and other injured players, including Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, and Wataru Endo.
Champions League Standings Implications
With the win, Liverpool sits on 12 points from six matches, securing a strong position inside the top eight and on course for direct qualification to the Round of 16. Inter Milan, meanwhile, remain fifth with the same number of points but are in danger of missing out on a top-eight finish if results in their remaining fixtures go against them.
Cristian Chivu’s Inter side must regroup quickly ahead of crucial matches against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, as consecutive European losses have put their knockout stage hopes in jeopardy.
Manager and Captain Reactions
Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised the squad for their commitment and pressing, despite Salah’s absence:
“He [Salah] has been so influential for the club and his teammates, and it is sad for the club and his teammates. The focus should be on this result.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk emphasized the importance of the win:
“Winning is a good feeling, especially in the period we are in – trying to find consistency, something to build on. It was always going to be tough here, but it ended positively for us.”
Other Champions League Action
- Bayern Munich beat Sporting Lisbon 3-1, with 17-year-old Lennart Karl continuing his impressive scoring streak.
- Chelsea lost, with Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere scoring the winner in the 83rd minute.
- Barcelona came from behind to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 at Camp Nou, courtesy of two quick headers from Jules Kounde.
- Atletico Madrid defeated PSV Eindhoven 3-2, boosting their chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
- Tottenham Hotspur moved up to ninth with a 3-0 win over Slavia Prague.
- Marseille held on for a 3-2 victory against Union Saint-Gilloise.
- Olympiakos beat Kairat Almaty 1-0, keeping their knockout hopes alive.
Conclusion:
Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Inter Milan demonstrates their resilience in the Champions League 2025/26, overcoming injuries and off-field drama surrounding Mohamed Salah. Dominik Szoboszlai’s late penalty not only secured three crucial points but also positioned the Reds for direct qualification to the knockout stages, reinforcing their status as serious contenders in Europe’s premier club competition.
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