A 1-0 victory in the Italian capital gave Arne Slot and his beleaguered side a huge result in the context of Liverpool’s season. Dominik Szoboszlai converted a penalty in the 88th minute, as the travelling Kop witnessed Inter’s first home defeat in Europe for three years.
Liverpool showed resolve and, in altering the shape of the team, Arne Slot may just have shown how his side can progress without Mo Salah. The victory certainly alters the present narrative around the club, while giving them a little breathing space going into the final two games of the Champions League.
Playing with a diamond in midfield, Szoboszlai playing behind both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, and with a back four that includedJoe Gomez, Liverpool looked secure, composed and, whisper it, difficult to play through. Not something you associate with the team this season. Yes, they struggled at times to create opportunities, but gave up very little in defence.
In a first half of little incident, VAR came to the home team’s rescue, when a five-minute delay led to the referee disallowing an Ibou Konate header for a previous handball. It was harsh by any measure and galvanised a subdued Inter and lifted an otherwise quiet crowd. Minutes later, Alisson was forced to make his only serious save of the game, diving to his left to push aside a header from Martinez.
The second half was much the same as the first, until Slot made what proved to be positive changes in the final quarter of the match. Wirtz, in particular, who ultimately won the penalty, helping Liverpool retain the ball closer to Inter’s penalty box and effectively playing between the lines. Clear chances, however, were few and far between, with Conor Bradley, on for Gomez, being denied at the near post, as it looked like the game would peter out to a 0-0 draw.
Florian Wirtz had replaced Isak, and though he undoubtedly had his shirt pulled in the penalty box, he certainly fell to the ground theatrically. The referee, perhaps embarrassed by his earlier decision in ruling out Konate’s header, awarded Liverpool a spot kick. Maybe that bit of luck that will finally kick-start their season.
