Liverpool vs Inter Milan LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction from fixture tonight
Follow live coverage as Jurgen Klopp’s Reds look to put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals with the first leg in Milan
Follow live reaction as late goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah earned Liverpool a 2-0 victory at Inter Milan in their Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday.
Inter had the better of the first-half chances, with Hakan Calhanoglu firing against the crossbar when afforded too much time in the penalty area. Liverpool were struggling to create many opportunities, with coach Jurgen Klopp ringing the changes in the second half, and one of those substitutes came up trumps - Firmino flicking home from a corner to break the deadlock in the 75th minute.
With their resistance broken, the errors started to creep in for Inter and Salah pounced when they failed to clear a long ball into the box to put the game to bed seven minutes from time. Even with the away goals rule no longer in force, the victory puts the 2019 Champions League winners in a commanding position ahead of the return leg on March 8 at Anfield.
Follow all the reaction below:
Inter Milan vs Liverpool: Routes to last-16
Inter Milan made it into the last-16 by finishing second in Group D behind Real Madrid. They lost both group games (0-1 at home, 2-0 away) to the Spanish giants but won three and drew one of the other four group stage matches.
Liverpool, meanwhile, had an incredible group stage. Drawn into Group B with La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and FC Porto the Reds won every game becoming the first English club to progress to the knockout stages with a 100% win record.
Inter Milan vs Liverpool; Klopp’s update on Henderson
Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson, injured his knee in the game against Burnley at the weekend and there were some doubts as to whether he would be fit to play this evening.
Henderson has travelled with the squad and is ready to play according to manager Jurgen Klopp who said:
Hendo is fine. Apart from that, there are no issues really. He got a knock on his knee and today was second-day recovery for a lot of players like for him as well, so it was not the longest session for him.
"The knee in the game was definitely not comfortable, it’s a proper wound, you can really see it - it should not be there. Apart from that, he is fine."
Inter Milan vs Liverpool: Injuries and absentees
Jordan Henderson is fit to face Inter Milan in tonight’s Champions League last-16 first leg while Luis Diaz is eligible to make a debut for Liverpool in the competition. Jurgen Klopp claimed there were no new injury updates so should have a strong squad to choose from.
Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella will miss both legs of this tie after being sent off in their final group stage match against Real Madrid. Alessandro Bastoni sprained his ankle against AS Roma last week and Joaquin Correa is stil out with a hamstrong injury.
Robin Gosen and Felipe Caicedo have both been registered for the knockout stages and could feature for Inter.
Virgil Van Dijk is back to his best, claims Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk is back to his best with perfect timing for the remainder of the season, according to manager Jurgen Klopp.
The Netherlands captain was in imposing form during the Reds’ hard-fought 1-0 victory at Burnley which helped maintain their pursuit of leaders Manchester City, who hold a nine-point advantage having played one match more.
February’s Champions League restart – Liverpool go to Inter Milan this week – is usually the signal for Van Dijk to shift through the gears as the quest for trophies steps up.
And having proved he has successfully recovered from anterior cruciate ligament surgery to his left knee last season, Klopp now believes the centre-back has regained his superiority.
“Definitely, definitely, you can see it in all movements and everything,” he said. “We were always convinced that it would happen.”
Full Klopp quotes and report:
Virgil Van Dijk is back to his best, claims Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp
The Dutch defender was in imposing form during the Reds’ hard-fought 1-0 victory at Burnley.
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