Liverpool emerged with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday, in a match defined by VAR drama and the notable absence of Mohamed Salah. The late heroics of Dominik Szoboszlai, who converted a penalty in the 88th minute, proved decisive and delivered a crucial boost to Arne Slot’s side in their Champions League campaign.
The game began with Liverpool showing attacking intent, and Ibrahima Konate appeared to give the visitors the lead with a close-range header. However, after an extended VAR review, the goal was controversially disallowed for handball, with the ball having struck Hugo Ekitike’s arm before Konate reacted. Despite the setback, Liverpool maintained their composure, continuing to press against last season’s finalists.
The breakthrough finally came late in the match. Substitute Florian Wirtz was brought down under a shirt pull by Alessandro Bastoni, a challenge initially overlooked by referee Felix Zwayer. Following a second VAR consultation, Zwayer awarded a penalty, and Szoboszlai calmly sent the ball into the net, securing the win. The victory lifted Liverpool to eighth in their Champions League group, level on points with Inter Milan, who occupy fifth place.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot described the win as timely, particularly given the ongoing tensions surrounding Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward was left out of the travelling squad after publicly airing grievances regarding his relationship with Slot, sparking speculation about his future at the club. Slot indicated that any reconciliation would depend on Salah acknowledging the impact of his statements, while reaffirming the team’s focus on collective performance rather than individual disputes.
Key figures in the squad, including Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson, were quick to redirect attention to the team’s performance on the pitch. Van Dijk emphasized that off-field distractions would not affect their dedication, while Robertson expressed his continued desire to play alongside Salah, highlighting the strong sense of unity within the squad despite the ongoing saga.
Liverpool now turn their focus to the remainder of the group stage, buoyed by a crucial three points but aware that consistency and squad harmony will be vital if they are to progress further in the Champions League.
