Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool PLAYER RATINGS: Does match winner Dominik Szoboszlai prime rating? Who must step up? And which Reds’ star earned 8/10?
Arne Slot was able to celebrate a crucial victory in the Champions League as Dominik Szoboszlai’s late penalty earned Liverpool a 1-0 win over Inter Milan.
The pre-match build-up had been centred on Mohamed Salah‘s absence from the squad, following his explosive outburst after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds on the weekend.
On the pitch, Liverpool felt they had taken a first-half lead against last season’s Champions League runners-up, when Ibrahima Konates scored with a header.
The defender’s effort was ultimately ruled out following a lengthy VAR check.
Liverpool would claim victory late on when Szoboszlai held his nerve from the spot after Alessandro Bastoni was adjudged to have pulled Florian Wirtz shit in the box.
Daily Mail Sport’s DOMINIC KING rates the Liverpool players after a win that boosts the Reds’ hopes of qualifying automatically to the last-16 from the league phase.
Dominik Szoboszlai scored from the penalty spot to earn Liverpool a 1-0 win over Inter Milan
Arne Slot was elated at full-time after Liverpool earned a crucial victory at the San Siro
Szoboszlai’s late penalty earned Liverpool a vital win in the Champions League
Liverpool (4-1-2-1-2)
Alisson Becker – If his performance in the pre-match press conference was good, he was even better with the gloves; a flying first half save to thwart Lautauro Martinez was the pick of his efforts – 8
Joe Gomez – The defence always has a more solid look to it when he is in the back four; he’s solid, dependable and a class act, did all that was asked of him – 7
Virgil van Dijk – Needed a good game after what has been a difficult personal time and he produced it; well protected by those around him, commanding when he needed to be – 7
Ibrahima Konate – If anyone could have done with a stroke of luck, it was him but a preposterous VAR decision stopped him scoring in the San Siro again; one unnecessary mistake in the second half – 6.5
Andrew Robertson – Sent spinning in the air early on by a dangerous Martinez tackle on the night he set a record in becoming Scotland’s record appearance maker in the Champions League; never lost his rhythm – 7
Alisson Becker impressed in the press conference on Monday and was even better on the pitch
Ibrahima Konate thought he had put Liverpool in front in the first half but the goal was ruled out
Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s outstanding performer this season and stepped up again
Ryan Gravenberch – Culpable for two goals at Leeds and has been out of sorts but this was much more like what we saw from him last season; neat, tidy and resolute – 7
Dominik Szoboszlai – Not for a second did you think he was going to miss the decisive penalty; been Liverpool’s outstanding performer this season and, again, he stepped forward when it mattered – 8.5
Curtis Jones – Looked like he might boil over at one stage, prompting Slot to tell him to calm down. Work rate was fine but not enough influence in the final third – 6
Alexis Mac Alliser – Took a few hefty whacks throughout but was tigerish and his evening was summed up in injury time when he thundered into Petar Sucic – 6.5
Alexander Isak – Games continue to pass him by; whether that is confidence, fitness or a combination of both, can only be debated but he has got to step up – 5
Hugo Ekitike – His strike partner should have a look at the work rate he puts in; Ekitike always gives you the sense that something is going to happen, hassled Inter’s defence all night – 7
Alexander Isak continues to let matches pass him by and the forward must step up soon
Hugo Ekitike’s work rate should be an example for Isak as he hassled Inter’s defence all match
It was a big match for Slot for many reasons and his tactics worked a treat at the San Siro
Subs
Bradley (for Gomez 68mins) – Brought energy and posed different questions when he was introduced and helped tip the balance in Liverpool’s favour – 7
Wirtz (for Isak 68mins) – Rarely gives the ball away and this cameo was significant. Lucky to get a penalty award but he wasn’t complaining – 7
Head Coach
Arne Slot – A big game for the Dutchman, for so many reasons. He was in control throughout, his tactics worked a treat, his changes made a difference and he was elated at the final whistle – and he had every reason to be – 8
