5 Liverpool players who underperformed against Inter Milan | UEFA Champions League Round of 16
Liverpool welcomed Inter Milan to Anfield for the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash on Tuesday night. Jurgen Klopp's team bagged a 2-0 win in the first leg at the San Siro last month.
The Reds were expected to take the game by the scruff of the neck to clinch another win. Unfortunately for them, it was Inter who came through, securing a 0-1 win on the night.
Despite enduring their first defeat in the Champions League this season, the Merseyside giants progressed to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate scoreline.
The first big chance fell to the hosts in the 30th minute when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impeccable free-kick picked out Joel Matip in the box. The centre-back headed the ball brilliantly but was denied by the crossbar.
A couple of minutes later, Virgil van Dijk came close to breaking the deadlock, but his goalbound header was ultimately blocked by Milan Skriniar. Inter called Liverpool keeper Alisson into action in the 41st minute, courtesy of Hakan Calhanoglu’s deceptively low free-kick. The Brazilian was up to the task and parried the ball away to safety.
The Reds dominated proceedings early in the second half, but it was Inter who took the lead out of the blue. Lautaro Martinez found some space outside the Liverpool box and unleashed a right-footed rocket to beat Alisson comprehensively.
Unfortunately for the visitors, their hopes of a comeback took a massive hit just a couple of minutes later as Alexis Sanchez received his marching orders. The Chilean's challenge on Fabinho was reckless and was completely deserving of the second yellow he received on the night.
Jurgen Klopp’s men didn’t have much trouble against a 10-man Inter but failed to get back on level terms.
Here are five Liverpool stars who could not quite live up to the billing on Tuesday night:
#5 Fabinho
Fabinho did not necessarily have the worst game on Tuesday night but his distribution left a lot to be desired. He rarely popped up with forward passes and was outmuscled early in the match.
Inter Milan players needed little effort to bypass him, which is hardly desirable from a player tasked with shielding the defense.
Prof Wenger calls Fabinho a cheat @EricNjiiru …
https://t.co/LVTt1kx1Mu
The Brazilian grew in confidence in the second half and played a lot better after Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson came on for Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcantara respectively.
Inter's Alexis Sanchez was sent off in a crucial phase following his challenge on Fabinho, resulting in a second yellow.
#5 Mohamed Salah
Premier League's leading goalscorer Mohamed Salah was successfully kept quiet by the Inter Milan defenders in the first half.
He only sprung to life in the second half when spaces started to open up.
How will I explain to my children that Salah missed from here https://t.co/HuzJFsW3G1
He hit the woodwork twice, the first of which came early in the second half. With the keeper out of position, all the Egyptian had to do was keep his cool and find the back of the net.
Unfortunately, he fluffed his lines and ended up hitting the left post of Samir Handanovic’s goal.
Salah's second effort, which rattled the post in the 75th minute, was sublime, and the star forward was extremely unfortunate not to score.