Liverpool 0(2)-1(1) Inter Milan: 5 Hits and Flops as Inter bow out despite winning at Anfield | UEFA Champions League 2021-22
Inter Milan beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield but bowed out of this season's UEFA Champions League 2-1 on aggregate. Despite a loss on the night, Liverpool moved into the last eight of the competition.
The Reds missed quite a few chances to kill the game, but their inability to do so almost came back to haunt them, hitting the post thrice. Mohamed Salah hit the woodwork twice in the second half. Joel Matip also hit the woodwork in the opening half, with his header coming off the crossbar following a brilliant delivery by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, it was Inter Milan who opened the scoring on the night through Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine scored a beautiful goal in the 61st minute, smashing into the top corner from the edge of the box to open up the game.
Unfortunately, Alexis Sanchez received his second yellow of the night for a challenge on Fabinho and was sent off minutes later. Liverpool survived an almighty scare before eventually going through.
Defeat on the night, but we progress into the #UCL quarter-final 👊 https://t.co/h3Hk5ILqZT
On that note, here's a look at the five hits and flops from either team in the game:
#5 Hit: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold was arguably Liverpool's best player against Inter Milan. The 23-year-old was one of the few positives in a game that gave Jurgen Klopp a lot of things to work on. He completely shut down his flank and looked threatening every time he advanced higher up the pitch.
Alexander-Arnold won six duels, made nine recoveries, completed two dribbles, created five chances, made two clearances and intercepted the ball once in a solid performance.
#4 Flop: Alexis Sanchez (Inter Milan)
Alexis Sanchez was having a decent outing, providing the assist for Martinez's goal, until his red card changed the complexion of the game. Although it is debatable whether the red card was a harsh one or not, there is no denying he should have been more careful.
Sanchez received his first yellow of the game for a foul on Thiago Alcantara in the opening half. The Chilean repeated the same mistake again in the 63rd minute, two minutes after assisting Martinez. Sanchez lunged into a reckless challenge against Fabinho to receive his second yellow of the night.
The comeback became tougher for Inter with a man down. And so it proved as the Reds went through despite losing on the night.