Nerazzurri knew they were facing quite a challenge when they were drawn to meet Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16. Well, now the challenge is extended as the Reds are boasting a healthy 2-0 advantage from the first leg. Inter Milan are headed to Anfield for the second leg and to say that they have a difficult task ahead – would be an understatement. The Scudetto holders will be fighting an uphill battle to keep their dreams of continental glory alive.The previous match saw Jurgen Klopp’s side strike through Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah at San Siro as Liverpool did not need to be told twice to stamp their authority on the Nerazzurri’s turf and put themselves in the driving seat for a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.Mozzartbet offers the biggest odds on Liverpool and Bayern Munich gamesEnglish side wrote down a perfect group-stage record of six wins from six and are looking pretty confident in their intent to repeat their success from two years ago. Also, no matter how much Klopp wants to downplay it, the quadruple dream is certainly well and truly alive for the Anfield faithful – the Reds have already placed the League Cup in their trophy cabinet, managed to book their tickets to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and are still in the Premier League title race trailing Manchester City ‘only’ six points.The current Liverpool side could become the first English team ever to win their opening eight games of a single Champions League campaign – their victory over the Hammers marked a 12th win on the bounce in all competitions. Another bragging matter – Klopp’s men haven’t lost at their home ground for over a year.None of this helps Inter Milan and in order for the Italians to advance – they will need to show their very best in combination with the Reds’ below-par performance. Simone Inzaghi’s men are surely feeling good after their strikers dusted off their best shooting boots for a thrilling warm-up victory over Salernitana but Serie A bottom-dwellers are worlds away from one of the best teams in the world.Lautaro Martinez returned to scoring ways in emphatic fashion with three of his side’s goals in that 5-0 win (he failed to score in the top flight since December) while veteran Edin Dzeko completed the rout with a quickfire brace of his own.If you think you’re having a tough time, just remember Sporting travel 1.000 miles to get battered. AgainThe Nerazzurri are struggling to keep their consistency domestically and it does not bode well with their confidence and they surely need a high level of it ahead of the clash against the European greats.Not since the 2010-11 season have Inter Milan managed to make it as far as the last eight in the Champions League. Inzaghi’s men can try and seek inspiration in Manchester United’s 2018-19 side who are the only one team in Champions League history to come back from a two-goal deficit in the first leg at home to advance (against Paris Saint-Germain).When it comes to the rosters, the home team does not have any players definitively ruled out of the second leg just yet. However, Klopp has a trio of concerns in the forms of Thiago Alcantara, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip but even so there is optimism galore regarding the three as they took part in full training ahead of the match.Ancelotti’s big games experience to tip the scale against the ParisiansIbrahima Konate could hold his place in the backline, Diogo Jota is now back to full fitness which comes as a massive option for Klopp if he wants to ease the burden on the Salah -Sadio Mane – Luis Diaz attacking trio.Among Nerazzuri, Nicolo Barella (who is heavily linked with Liverpool) is serving the second of a two-game European suspension this week which makes room for either Roberto Gagliardini or Arturo Vidal.Aside from the enforced change in the middle as Barella sits on the naughty step, Inzaghi will surely consider no other changes to the winning formula from Friday – Joaquin Correa and Alexis Sanchez should keep making their impact as substitutes.#Inter predicted lineup to face Liverpool. [via @Gazzetta_it] pic.twitter.com/SJAP7MWtU1— Inter Xtra (@Inter_Xtra) March 8, 2022 Ivan Perisic was absent from the Salernitana win due to muscular overload but even so, Inzaghi is not looking short of options on the left-hand side – Matteo Darmian, Federico Dimarco and Robin Gosens are all battling for the place in starting eleven.After a confidence-boosting evening in the league, the traveling Nerazzurri faithful will hope to see Martinez in particular kick on but Klopp’s side have been unplayable in the past few weeks and have already gotten the better of Inzaghi’s side at San Siro.CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – ROUND OF 16Second legTuesday23.00: (1.20) Bayern (8.00) Salzburg (14.0)23.00: (1.60) Liverpool (4.10) Inter (6.25)Wednesday 23.00: (2.65) Real Madrid (3.40) PSG (2.80)23.00: (1.15) Man.City (9.00) Sporting (22.0)©SofaScore
