Inter won 1-0 at Anfield on the night but it was not enough as Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at the San Siro in the first leg meant they qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The Nerazzurri headed into the match already two goals down from the first leg and knew they had to score at least twice to get back into the match. They rehearsed their fire power in Serie A on Friday evening, picking up a 5-0 win over Salernitana. Liverpool headed into the match on fantastic form, winning their last 12 matches in all competitions.
It was the second half where the match came to life here, with Liverpool hitting the woodwork twice, Inter pulling a goal back but also being reduced to 10 men. Inter will be left wondering whether they could have got back into the tie here if Alexis Sanchez stayed on the pitch. So, let’s get into the player ratings following a fantastic Champions League clash between Liverpool and Inter.
Liverpool
Alisson – 6.5
Little to do in the first forty five but made a decent save to stop a free kick by Hakan Calhanoglu. Could not do anything about Lautaro Martinez’s strike.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8
Had to deal with a couple of attacks in the opening quarter of the match but dealt with them well. Delivered an excellent ball for Matip who struck the bar with a header. Provided excellent deliveries and was a threat for the hosts. Came close to taking the lead with a free kick on the stroke of half time.
Joel Matip – 7
Struck the bar with a header following a free kick by Alexander-Arnold. Looked assured at the back next to van Dijk and did well defensively when called upon.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
Composed and solid at the back as ever with excellent positioning. Asserted his physical attributes when needed.
Andrew Robertson – 6.5
Pushed fairly high up field, looking to win the ball back quickly and providing an attacking option. Little to deal with defensively and could have been better in possession.
Thiago Alcantara – 7
Kept possession well and set the tempo, also won a couple of good challenges and interceptions. Almost provided the assist for the first goal with a good pass into Diogo Jota at the beginning of the second half.
Fabinho – 7.5
Sat at the base of the midfield to provide protection in front of the defense. Caught in possession a few times in the first half but made a couple of decent tackles and interceptions throughout.
Curtis Jones – 7
Unlikely start in the middle of midfield here but looked sharp early on and was accurate with his passing. Progressed forward with the ball well too and battled valiantly in the midfield. Impressive performance by the 21-year-old.
Mohamed Salah – 7
Struggled to get involved in the first half but was more lively in the second, striking the post early on as he came close to giving Liverpool the lead. Struck the post for a second time when Liverpool were a goal down. Far more influential in the second half.
Diogo Jota – 6
Booked in the first half for a poor challenge on Skriniar, given away in a dangerous area. Struggled to make much of an impact throughout.
Sadio Mane – 6
Did not impose himself too much on the game here in what was a quiet night for the Senegalese forward.
Substitutions
Naby Keita – N/A
Jordan Henderson – 6.5
Offered a bit of experience when he came on to help gain control in the midfield.
Luis Diaz – N/A
Inter are the first team to beat Liverpool at Anfield in any competition this season AND the first team to beat them in the #UCL
But it wasn't quite enough. ? pic.twitter.com/a84uZuuLl4
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 8, 2022
Inter
Samir Handanovic – 6.5
Wasn’t troubled in the first half but did well get in front of Jota early on in the second half after a nice pass through by Thiago.
Milan Skriniar – 7.5
Good defending to throw himself in front of a Van Dijk header in the first half. Made a couple of decent blocks and had to make a number of clearances throughout.
Stefan De Vrij – 6.5
Couple of nice challenges and blocks in the first half. Subbed off at half time after a fairly solid performance.
Alessandro Bastoni – 6.5
Tasked with dealing of the threat of Mo Salah, occupying the left hand side of defense, taking his place in the ever-present back three. Looked comfortable in possession but his performance dwindled as the game progressed. Salah got the better of the Italian in the second forty five.
Denzel Dumfries – 6
Solid defensively but had fairly little to do throughout here in what was a quiet night for the Dutchman.
Arturo Vidal – 7.5
A little careless in possession but battled as hard as ever in the midfield. Booked for a poor challenge on Curtis Jones just before the break. Exemplary work rate from the veteran who was seemingly everywhere. Made a brilliant block late on to deny an almost certain goal for Luis Diaz.
Marcelo Brozovic – 6.5
Took up his usual role in the midfield, sitting slightly deeper than his midfield counter-parts and recycling possession. Could have been better with his ball retention.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 6.5
Put himself about and kept possession fairly well in the first half. Forced a decent save from Alisson from a free kick in the first half.
Ivan Perisic – 6
Looked to attack down the left flank and get in behind Alexander-Arnold. Inter’s best threat early on but did lose possession too frequently and struggled to get involved as the match progressed.
Lautaro Martinez – 7
Bagged a hat-trick last Friday in Serie A but scarcely involved early on. Picked the ball up in an excellent position just before the hour mark and should have done better. Struggled for the majority of the evening but put Inter a goal up on the night with a phenomenal strike from outside the area.
Alexis Sanchez – 5.5
Surprise start with Edin Dzeko benched but made an enthusiastic start to the match and worked hard to win the ball back a number of times. Sent off just after Inter pulled a goal back after receiving a second yellow card for a careless challenge and effectively ended Inter’s hopes of getting back into the match.
Substitutions
Danilo D’Ambrosio – 6
Came on at half time for de Vrij and was deployed at right centre-back. Fairly solid at the back.