Liverpool can still win from a set piece even if a breakthrough proves difficult.
After 75 minutes of patience, even tedium, in the Champions League at Inter Milan’s Champions League, Andy Robertson hit a corner and was met at the nearpost by Roberto Firmino, who was glancing in a header, with his back towards the goal.
This was Liverpool’s fifth goal in Champions League from a set-piece this season, ranking first in Europe like the Premier League.
It was the moment Mohamed Salah scored in the 83rd minutes that secured the six-time European champions a 2-0 win in Wednesday’s round of 16 first leg.
Robertson’s free kick was the catalyst for Liverpool’s second goal at San Siro. Liverpool scored with the first two shots of the match.
Only a fraction of the hosts cleared the ball before it found its way back towards Trent Alexander-Arnold. His cross into the penalty box was pipped down by Virgil van Dijk. Salah was unmarked in central position and produced a shot that deflected past Samir Handanovic, his 10th goal in 12 Champions League appearances.
The 2019 Champions League winners secured a fourth consecutive away win in Europe, which was the first since 2006. This gave them a significant cushion that they can take back to Anfield next month for the second leg.
Van Dijk stated that he and Van Dijk took a lot of risks in pressing. It’s all about the hard fight and the struggle when you have the ball. Be brave, make the right choices, and hold it tight at your back.
Inter Milan failed to score a single goal in the 90-minute match and will now be out of the quarterfinals in European football’s elite competition.
Milan Skriniar, Inter’s defender, said that “in the Champions League small details are what make the difference.” “We created a lot but didn’t score,” Inter defender Milan Skriniar said.
It would have been so different for the Italian champions if Hakan Calhanoglu’s first half shot from a tight angle had not reached the crossbar.
Simone Inzaghi, Inter coach, stated that “we don’t have much chance now.” “But we will play the best match possible at Anfield and we will see,” Inzaghi said.
Alexander-Arnold was made to leave Liverpool as the Liverpool’s youngest ever Champions League player. Harvey Elliott, who was 18 years old and 318 days, was given his first appearance in this competition.
Elliott was on the pitch for the first 59 minute. Liverpool were not impressive and Liverpool came close to scoring in the second half when Sadio Mane scored.
Diogo Jota was forced to leave at halftime due to an ankle injury. However, that opened the door for eventual scorer Firmino.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager, stated on BT Sport that Firmino took time to enter the game. “After his goal, you could feel the confidence returning. The ball became our friend and we won the game.
Bayern Munich needed Kingsley Coman’s goal in the 90th minute of the night’s second leg to salvage a draw at Salzburg.