Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1 aggregate): 5 Talking Points | UEFA Champions League 2021-22
Inter Milan beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield but bowed out of the UEFA Champions League 2-1 on aggregate. Despite the loss, Liverpool moved into the last eight of the competition courtesy of their 2-0 win in the first leg at San Siro.
Following a close tussle in the opening half, Liverpool came roaring back in the second half. But they failed to capitalize on their chances and Inter Milan started pushing for their opening goal of the night. They kept asking the right questions and were finally rewarded for their resilience.
Lautaro Martinez scored a peach of a goal in the 61st minute of the game. The Argentinian international, after receiving a pass from Alexis Sanchez, smashed one into the top corner to get the game going. Unfortunately, Sanchez received his second yellow of the night and was sent off two minutes later, making the task tougher than it already was.
Following the red card, Liverpool took complete charge of the proceedings. The Reds controlled every aspect of the game and allowed Inter Milan no chance whatsoever.
Defeat on the night, but we progress into the #UCL quarter-final 👊 https://t.co/h3Hk5ILqZT
On that note, here's a look at five talking points from the game:
#5 Liverpool rue missed chances
Liverpool could have won the game with ease had they put away their chances. The Reds just weren't able to convert. Mohamed Salah hit the woodwork twice in the second half. Meanwhile, Joel Matip also hit the woodwork in the opening half as his header came off the bar following a brilliant delivery by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
🗣 "This is a good game to learn from, it's always important to win but sometimes, like tonight, you hit the post twice and you miss chances, it can happen."
Liverpool had 12 shots throughout the game but only managed to get two of them on target. One of which was Luis Diaz's attempt in the final minutes of the game, which was brilliantly blocked by Arturo Vidal from six yards out.
#4 Alexis Sanchez's red card turned the tie
Following Lautaro Martinez's opening goal in the 61st minute, there was a sense of belief that Inter Milan could overturn the tie. But two minutes later, Alexis Sanchez picked up his second yellow of the game and received his marching orders off the pitch.
Sanchez received his first yellow of the game for a foul on Thiago in the opening half. The Chilean repeated the same mistake again in the 63rd minute as he lunged into a reckless challenge against Fabinho. Sanchez received his second yellow of the night. His red completely changed the dynamics of the game.