Inter lost to Liverpool 0-1: Curtis Jones shone, Isak was lackluster.
The solitary goal secured three away points for Liverpool, easing the pressure on manager Arne Slot; Jones and Gravenberch shone, VAR was suspended for five minutes due to a handball. Hopes for a top eight finish remain.
Liverpool left San Siro with a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan – a crucial result given Arne Slot's team's recent unconvincing run in the Premier League. These three points were a relief and strengthened their chances of staying in the top group of the Champions League under the new format.
In terms of overall play, Liverpool didn't completely dominate, but manager Arne Slot's approach, prioritizing control and minimizing risk, proved appropriate for an away European match. The difference in chances suggests this victory was well-deserved: Liverpool had 12 shots (5 on target) compared to Inter's 9 shots (2 on target); the xG (excluding penalties) was 0.68 compared to 0.43.
Curtis Jones repays Slot's trust.
In midfield, Curtis Jones played his role so well that he stood out. He led in the number of completed passes (67) and achieved a 96% accuracy rate among players who played at least 45 minutes at San Siro. Besides his solid passing foundation, Jones also won 4 out of 7 duels and successfully dribbled past opponents 3 times, capping off a comprehensive evening.
Gravenberch sets the pace for the gameplay.
Ryan Gravenberch made his mark at both ends of the pitch. He made five interceptions – moments that extinguished Inter's valuable ball control. Conversely, the Dutch midfielder completed seven passes into the final third and finished two dribbles, helping Liverpool maintain a fluid build-up play through the midfield.
Key figures
- Final score: Inter 9 – 12 Liverpool
- Shots on target: Inter 2 – 5 Liverpool
- xG (excluding penalties): Inter 0.43 – 0.68 Liverpool
- Jones: 67 passes, 96% accuracy; won 4/7 duels, 3 successful dribbles.
- Gravenberch: 5 interceptions, 7 passes into the final third, 2 dribbles.
Isak is disappointing.
High expectations were placed on Isak, but he endured a lackluster 68 minutes: just one shot, no goals, no assists. Harsh reactions followed the match: “It’s probably been long enough to say Isak was terrible, truly the worst striker I’ve ever seen at this club.” Another questioned: “Can anyone at the club explain why we spent so much money on Isak… he’s a failed signing.”
VAR and questions about UEFA regulations.
The match was significantly interrupted when Ibrahima Konate's goal was disallowed due to an accidental handball by Hugo Ekitike. While the decision was in accordance with current rules, the approximately five-minute delay in the ruling disrupted the tempo. This highlights the need for UEFA to optimize its procedures to prevent prolonged VAR interventions like this.
Slot's approach: risk control and reduction
Recently, manager Arne Slot has implemented a strategy that prioritizes safety and avoids excessive risk. In the Premier League, this approach hasn't shown clear effectiveness; but in the Champions League, especially away from home, it creates a solid foundation for maximizing decisive moments – just like the 90 minutes at San Siro recently.
Impact on the Champions League landscape
The victory not only eased the pressure on manager Arne Slot but also propelled Liverpool to 10th place in the table, putting them on track to avoid the play-offs. The remaining fixtures offer a chance to break into the top eight: a tough away trip to Marseille and a home game against Qarabag. With their current style of play suited to this competition, Liverpool have reason to believe in a positive European campaign.