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Dominic Szoboszlai strokes home his match-winning penalty in Milan At a glance Ibrahima Konate's first-half header ruled out for offside after lengthy VAR check Dominik Szoboszlai powers home controversial late penalty Arne Slot's side unbeaten in four after a run of nine defeats in 12 Liverpool up to eighth in standings, Inter drop to fifth PLAYER RATINGS Dominik Szoboszlai's 88th-minute penalty gave Liverpool a crucial win against Inter Milan in the Champions League. Much of the build-up to the clash was dominated by the exclusion of Mohamed Salah from the Reds squad after he claimed the club had "thrown him under the bus" and his relationship with manager Arne Slot had broken down. And with the Egypt forward left back in Liverpool, Szoboszlai stepped up to take the decisive late spot-kick after Alessandro Bastoni was adjudged, following a video assistant referee (VAR) check, to have tugged at the shirt of Florian Wirtz in the box. Inter keeper Yann Sommer dived the right way, but the power of the penalty proved too much and Liverpool held on for a welcome three points after a turbulent few days at the club. After a worrying run of nine defeats in 12 games, Slot's side are now unbeaten in four. The Reds have 12 points from their six Champions League ties and victory here propelled them into the top eight of the league phase, where automatic qualification to the last 16 is guaranteed. Inter dropped down to fifth, on the same points tally, as they suffered a first home defeat in 19 matches in the competition - since September 2022 against Bayern Munich. Liverpool thought they had taken a 32nd-minute lead when Ibrahima Konate headed in from a corner. But referee Felix Zwayer disallowed the goal after a lengthy VAR check as the ball struck the arm of striker Hugo Ekitike before the ball found Konate to nod in from close range. Curtis Jones, Szoboszlai and Ekitike all forced Sommer to make saves in an opening half where Inter lost Piotr Zielinski and Yann Aurel Bisseck to injuries. The disallowed goal seemed to spark the hosts and Nicolo Barella came close as his free-kick went narrowly wide, before Lautaro Martinez's header was kept out by Alisson Becker. The game looked to be heading towards a goalless draw which would have been a first under Slot's tenure, but Wirtz - who replaced Alexander Isak in the 68th minute - made the most of Bastoni's pull. Szoboszlai's calm finish for his second goal in successive games ensured that, for the fourth time in four years, Liverpool would be leaving the San Siro with success. Would Liverpool have got 'soft' penalty in Premier League? What did you make of Liverpool’s display? Away from the Salah saga, Slot decided to alter things as Liverpool started in a 4-1-2-1-2 shape with a diamond in midfeld. They started well, keeping the ball and moving it with intent in a notable shift in tempo from previous games, with Jones at the heartbeat. For just the second time this season, Isak and Ekitike started together as Slot made four changes from the side that drew 3-3 at Leeds, with Wirtz dropped to the bench. Isak struggled with the physicality of Inter's defence and finished the first half limping, but Ekitike again posed a threat, buoyed by his double at Leeds. Nevertheless, the pair simply didn't link up enough before Isak was replaced by Wirtz. With Salah's future uncertain and Cody Gakpo set to spend a "few weeks" on the sidelines, that's a connection that needs to be forged sooner rather than later. But, ultimately, this was a night where Liverpool showed their spirit and togetherness. It was a vital victory for the under-pressure Slot and his players, and joy for the 4, 400-strong travelling support high up in the stands at the San Siro. Liverpool host Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday (15: 00 GMT), with a trip to Marseille next in the Champions League on Wednesday, 21 January (20: 00 GMT). Inter Milan host Arsenal in their next European tie on Tuesday, 20 January (20: 00 GMT). After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 9th December 2025 at 22: 01 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Cristian Chivu Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: Arne Slot Formation: 4 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 2 Manager: Cristian Chivu Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: Arne Slot Formation: 4 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 2 UEFA Champions League All competitions All competitions All competitions Internazionale and Liverpool have faced each other on six previous occasions – all in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League – with the Reds winning four of the six to date (L2). Five of the last six meetings between Internazionale and Liverpool have seen one of the sides win and keep a clean sheet (2 for Inter, 3 for Liverpool). Indeed, not since their first meeting in May 1965 have both sides scored in this fixture (3-1 win for the Reds in the European Cup). After losing their first away game against Internazionale in Europe (0-3 in May 1965) – a result which saw Inter progress to a European Cup final they would win that season (1964-65) – Liverpool have won both of their away games at Inter since (1-0 in March 2008 and 2-0 in February 2022). Liverpool have won five of their last six away games against Italian sides in Europe (L1), including one at the Giuseppe Meazza last season (3-1 v Milan in September 2024). In fact, they have won all four of the away games they have played at that venue in the UEFA Champions League (v Milan in 2021 and 2024, v Inter in 2008 and 2022). Since losing their first two UEFA Champions League home matches of 2022 – one of which was against Liverpool (0-2) – Internazionale have gone unbeaten in their last 18 home matches in the UEFA Champions League (W15 D3); the longest current streak in the competition. Inter (12. 8) and Liverpool (12. 7) are the top two sides for non-penalty expected goals in the UEFA Champions League this season. Indeed, when excluding penalties, only Paris SG (100) have had more shots in the competition this term than the Reds (98), with Inter fourth on 95 (Real Madrid third with 96). Since scoring five goals from 18 shots and 3. 2 expected goals against Eintracht Frankfurt in October, Liverpool have scored just twice from 44 shots and 4. 9 x G in their last two UEFA Champions League games. Indeed, they had 27 shots against PSV, their most in a match in the competition since March 2020 against Atlético de Madrid (34), and their most on record (from 2003-04) in a Champions League game in which they failed to score at least two goals. Inter’s Lautaro Martínez has scored in all five of his UEFA Champions League games at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in 2025 (8 goals). The only player to score in 6+ consecutive home appearances in the competition for an Italian club is Andriy Shevchenko for Milan (7 from Mar 2004 to Sep 2005). Only Joey Veerman (49) and Vitinha (40) have made more line-breaking passes in the final third in the UEFA Champions League this season than Inter’s Hakan Çalhanoglu (35). 10 of Çalhanoglu’s line-breaking passes have led to Inter then having a cross, also the third-most of any player in the competition this term. The only central midfielder to be involved in more open play sequences ending in a shot in the UEFA Champions League this season than Dominik Szoboszlai (37) is Vitinha (58). The Hungarian has been directly involved in five goals in Liverpool’s five games in the competition this term (2 goals, 3 assists). Match ends, Inter Milan 0, Liverpool 1. Second Half ends, Inter Milan 0, Liverpool 1. Curtis Jones (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Yann Bisseck (Inter Milan). Handball by Curtis Jones (Liverpool). Conor Bradley (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Petar Sucic (Inter Milan). Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time. Corner, Inter Milan. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk. Attempt blocked. Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Manuel Akanji. Attempt blocked. Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Florian Wirtz. Goal! Inter Milan 0, Liverpool 1. Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. VAR Decision: Penalty Liverpool. Penalty Liverpool. Florian Wirtz draws a foul in the penalty area. Penalty conceded by Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan) after a foul in the penalty area. Substitution, Inter Milan. Carlos Augusto replaces Federico Dimarco. Substitution, Inter Milan. Ange-Yoan Bonny replaces Marcus Thuram. Substitution, Inter Milan. Petar Sucic replaces Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Attempt missed. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Dominik Szoboszlai following a set piece situation. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.