Liverpool entertained Inter Milan at Anfield earlier tonight as they looked to defend their 2-0 lead from the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie. The Reds struggled to gain control of the game during the first 45 minutes and went into the half-time break with a goalless scoreline.
The Merseyside outfit were sloppy at times in the second half and paid the price in the 61st minute when Lautaro Martinez scored for Inter with a terrific strike from outside the box. However, Liverpool found themselves at a numerical advantage just two minutes later when Alexis Sanchez was sent off for a poor challenge on Fabinho. The Reds controlled the game well but lacked the cutting edge in the final third. Jurgen Klopp’s men ended up losing by a narrow 1-0 scoreline but did enough to qualify after a 2-1 win on aggregate.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player fared during the contest against Inter.
GK: Alisson Becker – 6.5/10
The Brazilian keeper made a couple of solid saves at the back but couldn’t do much about Lautaro Martinez’s excellent strike.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7.5/10
The English right-back performed his defensive duties well and whipped in some dangerous crosses into the opposition penalty box.
CB: Joel Matip – 7/10
Matip bossed the Inter attackers for most of the game and was unfortunate to hit the crossbar with his goalbound header in the first half.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 6/10
The Dutch centre-back could have done better to close Martinez down in the lead-up to Inter’s goal. However, he deserves credit for distributing the ball well from the back.
Bastoni of Inter Milan crosses the ball as Naby
Keïta and Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool close down during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg Two match between Liverpool FC and FC Internazionale at Anfield on March 08, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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LB: Andrew Robertson – 6.5/10
Robertson looked a bit tired at times but still managed to produce a solid display down the left flank. However, his crossing could have been a bit better in the second half.
CM: Curtis Jones – 6/10
He was always willing to get on the ball but slowed the tempo of Liverpool’s game. Jones was mostly ineffective in the final third.
CM: Fabinho – 7/10
Fabinho anchored the midfield with conviction and fought for a lot of 50-50 duels in midfield.
CM: Thiago Alcantara – 6.5/10
The Spaniard passed the ball really well and managed to create some decent chances in the final third.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 7/10
The Egyptian winger was a constant menace for the Inter defenders and hit the post twice. On another night, he could have had a hattrick with all the chances he got.
ST: Diogo Jota – 6/10
Jota gave away the ball cheaply at times in the first half and hardly got a sniff at goal.
LW: Sadio Mane – 6.5/10
He showed some signs of his brilliance but lacked quality in front of the opposition goal.
Substitutes:
CM: Jordan Henderson – 6/10
Henderson added some energy to Liverpool’s midfield.
CM: Naby Keita – 6/10
He kept possession well in the opponent’s half.
RW: Luis Diaz – N/A
Diaz didn’t get enough minutes to warrant a rating.
