Inter Milan 0-2 Liverpool: 5 talking points as Reds take lead to Anfield | UEFA Champions League 2021-22

FC Internazionale vs Liverpool FC: Round Of Sixteen Leg One - UEFA Champions League
FC Internazionale vs Liverpool FC: Round Of Sixteen Leg One - UEFA Champions League

It's advantage Liverpool after the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 game against Inter Milan after the Premier League side recorded a 2-0 win at the San Siro.

Late goals from second-half substitute Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah put the Reds firmly in the ascendancy. Liverpool were the better side for most of the game, and that told as the Inter defence crumbled in the second half.

It was an open game for the first 45 minutes, with both sides attacking on the counter. The visitors grew into the game in the second half as their high press pegged Inter in their own half.

As Liverpool take a giant step towards a place in the quarter-finals, we take a look at the five talking points from their first-leg clash:


#5 Harvey Elliott becomes Liverpool's youngest player in the Champions League

Harvey Elliot has enjoyed a good spell with the Premier League club.
Harvey Elliot has enjoyed a good spell with the Premier League club.

Harvey Elliot was given the nod to start in midfield by Jurgen Klopp against the Serie A leaders, and the 18-year-old did not disappoint. In the process, the English teenager became the youngest Reds player to feature in the continental competition.

He broke the record, previously held by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was 18 years and 354 days when he made his competition debut against Spartak Moscow in 2017.

Elliot had a decent debut, and in his 59 minutes of action, he linked well with the forwards, but he lacked a bit defensively. He failed to mark Hakan Calhanoglu, who hit the crossbar in the first half.


#4 Reds implement their press flawlessly against Inter Milan

FC Internazionale vs Liverpool FC: Round Of Sixteen Leg One - UEFA Champions League
FC Internazionale vs Liverpool FC: Round Of Sixteen Leg One - UEFA Champions League

The visitors played a highline throughout the game. They were quick to latch onto free balls, and their close marking denied any chances of forward passing to Inter.

The Serie A giants could not pass the ball into the final third, as the Reds pressed high and forced them into moving the ball in the defensive third. Almost every move by the hosts eventually cooled down as the players passed the ball all the way back to goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

#3 Inter Milan bereft of ideas going forward

Inter Milan vs Liverpool FC: Round of 16 Leg One - UEFA Champions League
Inter Milan vs Liverpool FC: Round of 16 Leg One - UEFA Champions League

Inter Milan have enjoyed a prolific run in Serie A this season. They are the top-scoring side in the division with 55 goals in 24 games, but came up short in the Champions League yet again.

They faced a 2-0 defeat at Real Madrid in their final group game in December, and the story was similar against Liverpool as well. Their midfielders simply could not create enough chances for their two strikers up front.

Edin Dzeko is an out-and-out finisher now, and his lack of pace inhibited him from being involved in the build-up play. Lautaro Martinez, meanwhile, was no match for Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

Ivan Perisic looked lively down the left flank, but the final ball into the box from him was mostly erratic. However, he did produce a sizzling cross that narrowly eluded Martinez at the far post.

The hosts had no answer for Klopp's well-drilled side, failing to exploit the spaces behind Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, who made a lot of runs into the final third.


#2 No shots on target in a well-contested first half

Inter Milan vs Liverpool FC: Round of 16 Leg One - UEFA Champions League
Inter Milan vs Liverpool FC: Round of 16 Leg One - UEFA Champions League

The first half was closely contested, with Liverpool dominating in terms of chances created. Inter Milan hit the woodwork, which was the best chance in the first 45 minutes for either side.

Inter Milan and Liverpool are two sides who have made a name for their attacking play in recent years. However, there were zero shots on target from both teams before the half-time whistle.

Credit for that goes to both sets of defenders, especially the central defenders who played well. Inter defenders put their bodies on the line, making crucial blocks and interceptions. Meanwhile, Virgil Van Dijk and Konate used their pace and strength to keep the Inter attackers off the ball.


#1 Salah scores decisive goal for Liverpool yet again

FC Internazionale vs Liverpool FC: Round of 16 Leg One - UEFA Champions League
FC Internazionale vs Liverpool FC: Round of 16 Leg One - UEFA Champions League

Mohamed Salah's goals have helped the Reds secure crucial wins this season, and the game against Inter Milan was no different. The Egyptian winger found the back of the net, pouncing on a loose ball to produce a great finish in the 83rd minute.

While Firmino's goal had given them a lead just eight minutes ago, Salah's goal was a decisive blow to the hosts. With this strike, he has now scored in eight consecutive away games in the Champions League, a club record.

Now he will have his eyes set on the all-time record set by Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored in 12 back-to-back away games in the competition between 2012 and 2015. Meanwhile, Inter Milan have it all to do in the second leg at Anfield on March 8.

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Edited by Bhargav
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