By Sulaimon Jamiu
Liverpool are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 2-1 aggregate win despite being beaten 1-0 on the night by 10-man Inter at Anfield.
Lautaro Martinez’s stunning strike just after the hour offered hope for the Italian champions but Alexis Sanchez was sent off moments later and Liverpool held on to progress.
The result ends an unbeaten run that extends back to last year for Jurgen Klopp’s side but they will not be too concerned by that -the hard work done in the San Siro proved decisive.
The Argentine, Lautaro Martinez beat Alisson from distance and suddenly there were nerves among the home crowd. Sanchez’s second yellow card soon switched the momentum. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward had been fortunate to only receive a yellow card for drawing blood from Thiago with his studs in the first half.
The foul on Fabinho that saw him sent from the field was not quite so bad – he caught the Brazilian on the follow-through after winning the ball – but the Liverpool boss was clear that it was the only decision the referee could make.
“If you can’t get the ball without endangering an opponent then it’s a foul,” said Klopp in the post-match interview. “And he caught him badly. He was lucky not to get red for the foul on Thiago in the first half.”
There were no further scares for Liverpool in the final quarter of the game as they began to dominate a tiring Inter team with Salah somehow hitting the post for a second time. Luis Diaz was also denied in stoppage time, but it was frustrating rather than decisive.
“These days can happen,” said Klopp afterwards. “We just need to be better next time.”
Thankfully for Liverpool, there will be a next time. Their Champions League adventure continues
