Liverpool are quarter-finalists in the Champions League. The Reds lost 0-1 to Internazionale on their own field, but thanks to the 0-2 victory in Milan three weeks ago, a place in the last eight teams in the billion-dollar ball is a fact. The clash at Anfield was fraught with incidents, including a second-half red card for Alexis Sanchez. Inter continued to fight with ten players until the bitter end, but an extension was not won.
Manager Jurgen Klopp’s side seemed to opt for control in the first half, rather than the fierce and attacking football normally played by Liverpool at home. Inter couldn’t do much offensively in the early stages, despite the efforts on the right flank of the tireless Denzel Dumfries. In the 25th minute the game came to a halt due to a medical situation in the stands, although the details were not given. Klopp noticed immediately and warned the fourth official to stop. The Liverpool manager was applauded and after a break of approximately five minutes the return game was resumed in the eighth final.
Due to a medical emergency in the audience, the game was suspended for a few minutes. The players, coaches and supporters reacted with shock. It is not yet clear what the status of the situation is at the moment. #UCL #LIVINT pic.twitter.com/eVTvwysMDK
— VTBL ? (@vtbl) March 8, 2022
In minute 31, Joël Matip, who had come along, saw a header land on the crossbar. From a corner shortly afterwards, Virgil van Dijk’s header was blocked in time by the alert Milan Skriniar. In the final phase of the first half, which was briefly still, Alisson skilfully saved on a free kick by Hakan Calhanoglu. Liverpool reached the half-time signal unscathed and were therefore one step closer to the quarter-finals in the Champions League. Halfway through, Stefan de Vrij was left in the dressing room with probably a calf injury. In the 52nd minute, Mohamed Salah could have completely removed the tension, but the Egyptian attacker hit the post from a rebound. There was a goal after more than an hour of play, but it was on the other side. Lautaro Martínez got the ball passed, set his eyes on Liverpool’s goal and let the ball disappear into the top right corner: 0-1.
Just a minute later, Inter had to continue with ten players. A high tackle by Sánchez on Fabinho gave the visitors attacker a red card from referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz. The Chilean could have been shown red earlier in the game after a hard tackle on the leg of Thiago Alcántara, but then the cards were in his pocket. Fifteen minutes before the end, Salah hit the post again to his great frustration after a smooth counter from Liverpool, which had more attacks against the bottom number in the final phase. In the final phase, Arturo Vidal made a brilliant save and close to his own goal after a bet from winter asset Luis Díaz. Shortly before that, Skriniar eliminated the danger after a cross from Andrew Robertson, who was played beautifully by Van Dijk.
What a goal! Lautaro Martínez brings the tension back with this beautiful goal. †#UCL #LIVINT pic.twitter.com/6VKjcWnfGM
— VTBL ? (@vtbl) March 8, 2022
Inter kept hoping for a second goal, extra time and a quarter-final place in the billion-dollar ball. In the five minutes of added time, however, a second Italian goal was not scored. Liverpool are therefore moving forward and are quarter-finalists for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Klopp’s formation last captured the most important European club prize in 2019. The draw for the quarter and semi-finals in the Champions League will take place on Friday 18 March.
Mohamed Salah is not doing well! He hits the post for the second time this evening. An exciting last fifteen minutes at Anfield! #UCL #LIVINT pic.twitter.com/JSOuhDv6DA
— VTBL ? (@vtbl) March 8, 2022
Stefan de Vrij dropped out against Liverpool halfway through due to an alleged calf injury.