Here we have with us the Liverpool player ratings as they win the first leg of the UCL round of 16 against Inter Milan. Both teams had 0 shots on target until the 70th minute of the game. This is when Liverpool stepped up their game when they took 2 shots on target and scored both of them. However, Inter did not have any shot on target till the end of the game.
Roberto Firmino rose to the occasion in the 75th minute when Robertson put in a cross at the near post and the Brazilian glanced it past Handanovic. The header moved away from the keeper to the bottom far corner where it was very difficult to reach for the keeper. Such precision late in the game allowed Liverpool to break the deadlock.
Liverpool doubled their lead with another cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s cross. His cross to the far post found Van Dijk’s head who nodded the ball towards the penalty area. Konate was free but was facing backward and left the ball for Salah to hit it with properly. The Egyptian did not disappoint and increased the lead for Liverpool in the 83rd minute.
Liverpool have a 0-2 lead on aggregate after the first leg against Inter Milan. The lead would have been bigger if the away goals rule was still in action for this season. However, that is not the case and Liverpool will have to be alert that this is just a 2 goal lead and nothing more than that.
Liverpool player ratings in UCL meetup against Inter Milan
Alisson – 6/10
Barely had anything to do in the game but was good on the ball when asked.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6/10
Was troubled at times with Ivan Perisic and his pace. However, came close to scoring with a free-kick and his cross led to the second goal.
Ibrahima Konate – 7/10
Good display and excellent job cutting out crosses. Showed good tackling skills and was calm and collected.
Virgil van Dijk – 8/10
Handled everything that was thrown at him and denied Dzeko his opportunity to score. Got an assist when he nodded the ball in the penalty area.
Andy Robertson – 8/10
Performed well to handle Dumfries and kept him at bay. Moreover, got himself a good assist from a corner.
Fabinho – 6/10
Started the game well but lost hold of his game later on and was not effective in winning duels.
Harvey Elliot – 5/10
Looked like he wasn’t ready for the big match at the start but got comfortable later on as time passed.
Thiago – 7/10
Did his part of the game with passing and tackling throughout the game. However, he couldn’t deal with the physical pressure from the Inter midfielders.
Mohamed Salah – 7/10
Did not look as entertaining as he usually is. Things did not go his side at times but scored a very important goal late in the game.
Diogo Jota – 5/10
Was not able to get involved in the game regularly and was substituted at half-time. He didn’t do anything wrong but also did nothing great.
Sadio Mane – 6/10
Should have opened the scoring as he missed a header from just six yards. Also tried scoring an overhead kick but it went wide.
Substitutes
Roberto Firmino – 7/10
Excellent header to open the scoring and win the game for Liverpool.
Naby Keita – 5/10
Handled the defensive side of the game.
Luis Diaz – 6/10
Could have got himself a goal as soon as he came up but was denied brilliantly.
Jordan Henderson – 6/10
Helped Liverpool get some control over the midfield and in the game.
James Milner – N/A
Did not have enough time to make an impact.
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