Player Ratings: Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool’s trip to the San Siro ended with a mix of grit, controversy and relief as Arne Slot’s side overcame Inter Milan 1-0 to strengthen their push for a top eight Champions League finish. For a team looking to rediscover fluency on the continental stage, this was an evening defined by resilience rather than rhythm, and one ultimately decided from twelve yards. Dominik Szoboszlai kept his nerve with two minutes left, striking home the decisive penalty after a fraught night of VAR interventions.
Advertisement
The win moves Liverpool back into eighth with Marseille away and Qarabag at Anfield still to come, giving Slot’s men a genuine opportunity to bypass the knockout playoffs. Against an Inter side that probed without ever overwhelming, Liverpool showed clearer defensive structure and more maturity in possession, even if attacking play remained inconsistent.
VAR drama shapes the contest
The match’s turning point came long before the penalty. Ibrahima Konate thought he had scored midway through the first half, rising to head home Szoboszlai’s corner, only for a lengthy five minute VAR pause to end with Felix Zwayer ruling out the goal. Virgil van Dijk had headed the ball against Hugo Ekitike’s arm from close range, a situation that Liverpool players felt was unavoidable. Zwayer disagreed, chalking it off in a decision that frustrated the travelling support.
Inter Milan threatened sporadically, particularly through Lautaro Martinez, but Alisson’s late stop in first half stoppage time kept the score level. When Florian Wirtz was tugged by Alessandro Bastoni in the closing stages, Zwayer pointed to the spot and Szoboszlai seized the moment.
Photo: IMAGO
Advertisement
Liverpool performances under the spotlight
Slot’s side blended control with occasional lapses, but several individuals produced impressive contributions that underpinned the win. Ryan Gravenberch’s intelligence both in and out of possession stood out, as did the stability offered by Konate and Van Dijk at the heart of defence. Others struggled for rhythm, but the collective held firm when the match turned cagey.
Player ratings from Inter Milan vs Liverpool
Liverpool player ratings
Alisson, 7
Joe Gomez, 6
Ibrahima Konate, 7
Virgil van Dijk, 7
Andy Robertson, 6
Ryan Gravenberch, 8
Curtis Jones, 7
Alexis Mac Allister, 5
Advertisement
Dominik Szoboszlai, 8
Alexander Isak, 5
Hugo Ekitike, 6
Substitutes
Conor Bradley, 7
Florian Wirtz, 6
Manager
Arne Slot, 7
Liverpool leave Milan with a vital win, a clean sheet and the sense that their Champions League campaign still holds real promise. The final group fixtures will determine their fate, but this night in Italy provided the organisation and courage Slot has been urging from his players.
