Key Facts As Liverpool Sneak Through Inter Milan Into UCL Q/Finals

Liverpool progressed into the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals after overcoming a spirited Inter Milan team, over two legs, despite losing 0-1 on the night against the Italian Champions courtesy of a Lautaro Martinez thunderbolt.

Simone Inzaghi installed Alexis Sanchez as Martinez’s partner up front and it eventually turned out to be a tactical masterstroke after doubts grew initially about the decision, as the Chilean threatened the Liverpool defence inside the first 25 minutes.

Liverpool were pretty much mediocre for the first 45 minutes as they failed to create enough chances but came close to opening the scoring when Joel Matip’s header came off the crossbar. Liverpool forward Mo Salah has scored eight goals in seven Champions League appearances this season and nearly had a ninth on 51 minutes when the Egyptian had a clear goalscoring opportunity from close range but could only hit the post.

The game ignited at the half-hour mark when with Liverpool somewhat creaking, Martinez unleashed a fearsome strike from 20 yards out that whistled into the top corner for his 16th goal of the season.

Despite Martinez’s wonder goal and a Sanchez red card, Liverpool still could not find a way through a resilient Inter defence and although Jurgen Klopp’s men will be more than pleased to have reached the quarterfinal stage, an air of disappointment will linger after an underwhelming performance saw them scale through by a hairsbreadth. Here, we outline key facts as Inter beat Liverpool 0-1;

• Inter Milan beat Liverpool for the first time in four Champions League outings, with the Reds winning the last three games without conceding a single goal (2-0 and 1-0 in 2007-08, 2-0 in this season’s first leg) with all of these three games coming in the Round of 16 of the competition.

• Liverpool have reached the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal stage for the fourth time in five seasons, failing only in 2019-20 in this time (eliminated in the Round of 16).

• Liverpool winger Sadio Mane recorded his 50th UEFA Champions League appearance for the Reds, becoming the first Senegalese player to reach that milestone.

• After their loss to Inter, Liverpool failed to become the first English side in the history of the UEFA Champions League to win their first eight games in the competition.

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