Yes, Jurgen Klopp was right. Liverpool coach said before the second match with Inter that the Italians are ’the real deal’ and warned his players and the fans that it won’t be so easy against Serie A champions, but hardly anybody listened (or believed). But when Lautaro Martinez scored a beauty in the 62nd minute, Anfield was stunned. Luckily for Liverpool, former Arsenal man Alexis Sanchez got the second yellow card minutes later (although a bit harsh) and with just 10 men, Inter couldn’t complete their surprise in England. Still, an honorable win remained: Liverpool – Inter 0-1.4 – Liverpool have reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-final stage for the fourth time in the last five seasons, failing only in 2019-20 in this time (eliminated in Round of 16). Pursuit. pic.twitter.com/oltciCXpUP— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 8, 2022 Both coaches had their own ’tricks’ ahead of this match. Klopp decided to leave his captain Henderson and Keita on the bench, while Simone Inzaghi tried to play on speed and changed Edin Dzeko with Alexis Sanchez. Inter attacked from the first minute, as they had a huge task of scoring two goals just to reach the overtime, but it’s not easy to score against Liverpool at Enfield. Actually, the first interesting situation occurred in the 25th minute, when the game was shortly abandoned since somebody in the crowd needed medical assistance. More excitement was to follow shortly, but this time on the pitch, as Alexander-Arnold made a perfect cross and Matip took a powerful header only to be denied by the crossbar. A corner followed, and this time Van Dijk looked destined to score, but Skriniar scratched the ball with his head just enough to divert it away from the goal. Inter also had a great chance just at the end of the first half, but that part of the game remained goalless. Calhanoglu took a free kick, and tried to shoot directly at goal from a wide position but Alisson was there just in time to block the shot.We will discover our #UCL quarter-final opponents on Friday March 18 ⤵— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 8, 2022 Liverpool’s best player Mohamed Salah saw more action time in the second half. The Egyptian took a powerful shot in the 52nd minute, but the woodwork saved Inter for the second time. But somehow the Reds made a mistake minutes later and suddenly, Martinez was left alone on the edge of the box. Even the Argentinian was a bit surprised and instead of taking a shot, he tried to get the best angle and missed his opportunity. But, he learned from that mistake quickly. Next time he took the ball, he took a shot straight away and it was thunderbolt which ended behind Allison, who couldn’t do anything. Anfield was in shock: 0-1 to Inter. But, just two minutes later, Inter’s Sanchez made a foul and earned the second yellow card and was expelled. The replay showed that he was going for the ball, and after that couldn’t put the leg away, but the referee didn’t bother to check VAR. Sanchez made it to the locker room and it was over. Inter couldn’t do anything with 10 men, and Liverpool was unlucky, because Salah hit another bar (third overall), and the result stayed the same, but nevertheless, the Reds are through. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – ROUND OF 16Second legTuesdayBayern – Salzburg 7-1 (4-0)/Lewandowski 12 (p), 21 (p), 23, Gnabry 31, Muller 54, 83, Sane 85 – Kjaergaard 71/Liverpool – Inter 0-1 (0-0)/Lautaro 61/Wednesday 23.00: (2.65) Real Madrid (3.40) PSG (2.80)23.00: (1.15) Man.City (9.00) Sporting (22.0)
