PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 0-1 INTER MILAN

Liverpool lost 1-0 at Anfield to Inter Milan but still progressed to the quarter finals, winning 2-1 on aggregate. A wonder strike by Lautaro Martinez in the second half separated the sides in a game where the hosts hit the woodwork three times. Read on for player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 6

Good save from Çalhanoğlu’s free kick. Didn’t have much else to do. Nothing he could do about the goal. He elicited gasps from the Kop late on when he dallied on a ball with an Inter shirt in close proximity.

Alexander-Arnold – 7

First half he delivered some wicked balls into the box. His teammates couldn’t finish it off though and it must have been frustrating when Diaz also denied him an assist late on by dallying on the shot after another pickout. He defended Perisic much better tonight and was the creative force in the game.

Matip – 6

Excellent first half and was unlucky not to open the scoring when he steered a header against the crossbar. Late on, he was a bag of nerves. Gave the ball away for their goal and did same again straight after. Fabinho bailed him out that time and Alexis got sent off from catching the Brazilian.

Van Dijk – 7

Defended well, came across to deal with runners in behind. His mere presence meant Lautaro gave up on chasing one through ball in the first half. Also came close to scoring but Skriniar blocked his goal bound header. Played a sensational outside of the boot pass late on to put Robertson through down the left channel.

Robertson – 4

Poor tonight. Lost a few battles against Dumfries early on and completely went into his shell. Proceeded to just pass the ball back every time he was found in the attacking third. His game was summed up with that terrible cross after Van put him in behind. Salah and Mané were waiting for a tap in and Robbo couldn’t even beat the first (and only) man.

Fabinho – 5.5

Struggled first half as Inter seemed to be first to every loose ball in midfield. Got better as the game wore on however and was at the centre of the red card storm when Sanchez caught him on the follow through to earn his second booking.

Jones – 5.5

Started nervously, lost out on several duels but then grew into it. Went on a few driving runs through the heart of midfield and that unsettled them somewhat. We were on top second half and he was a major part of that till he decided to fall into his old ways of holding on to possession too long. He lost it and Inter countered. From there, the pendulum swung in their favour.

Thiago – 5.5

Another who had a poor start. Looked almost rusty in the beginning. Dawdled on the ball a number of times and was dispossessed. Grew into it however and won the ball back with some brilliant tackling.

Salah – 5

Quiet first half as his passing let him down. Lost the ball almost every time he got it. Second half he got more involved. Hit the right post with Handanovic stranded, and then hit the left post with a terrific first time cushioned effort with his weaker right foot. Unlucky.

His all round game left a bit to be desired though, he tries to beat too many men on his own. It’s something we’ve seen him successfully do but it didn’t come off tonight. It just led to possession turnovers, halting a promising attack.

Jota – 4

Poorest I’ve ever seen him. It could have even been lower than 4. Absolutely horrendous. Poor touch, poor distribution, not his night at all. Almost pounced on Thiago’s lofted through ball but Handanovic was quick off his line. Surprised he lasted as long as he did to be honest.

Mané – 4.5

Another who was frustrating tonight. Ball kept bouncing off him. On one occasion he trod on the ball and fell, ruining a good overload on the left wing. Played an exquisite pass for Salah second half that saw the Egyptian hit the woodwork. Best (only?) thing he did all night.

Substitutes

Henderson – 6

Slowed down the whole tempo of the game when he came on. Took the sting out of it and just kept the ball moving. Almost booted Perisic back to Italy late on. Matched their aggression in the middle of the park.

Keita – 5.5

Wasn’t on the ball as much as Henderson it felt. Looped one header into the air which was quite funny.

Diaz – N/A

One of these days we’ll start demanding more end product to marry the exciting approach play. He should have equalised in stoppage time but he took a touch, set himself and went for a no look finish – allowing Vidal to come back and make an unbelievable block. First time finish there and our Anfield record is intact. Oh well.

Jürgen Klopp

The gaffer made 4 changes to the side that beat West Ham on Saturday, with Matip, Jones, Thiago and Jota coming in for Konaté, Henderson, Keita and Diaz. His side didn’t play well first half with none of the front three attempting a shot.

Second half there was a slight improvement till Inter scored. He reacted by sending on the skipper and Keita, just like he did in the first leg. The game was calmed down, aided by the Sanchez sending off. Defeat ends the run of 12 consecutive victories but his side are safely through to the last eight.