A controversial penalty brings victory: Liverpool FC beat Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday evening and was able to celebrate late after the excitement surrounding superstar Mohamed Salah’s failure to be nominated for the squad. The Italians, on the other hand, struggled with the penalty decision made by the German referee team around Felix Zwayer.
Dominik Szoboszlai scored the decisive goal from the spot in the 88th minute of the game to give the “Reds” a 1-0 (0-0) away win. Joker Florian Wirtz was pulled into the penalty area by Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni. After the VAR review, Zwayer decided on a penalty – at least a tough decision, as the German international went down quite easily and late.
Important victory for coach Arne Slot
In terms of the table, Liverpool has a good chance of advancing directly in the Champions League with this success. With twelve points, the guests are at least temporarily in eighth place, which would qualify them directly for the round of 16. But much more important for the guests: After the great unrest surrounding Liverpool’s superstar Mohamend Salah’s angry speech, another failure in an already difficult season would have fueled criticism from outside.
Inter, on the other hand, have to be angry about a bitter defeat in which they were evenly matched. With twelve points, the Italians are still ahead of the Reds in the table due to their better goal difference and can get over the defeat.
Wirtz initially on the bench at Liverpool
After three starting eleven appearances within a week, Wirtz was initially given a breather by coach Arne Slot and took a seat on the bench. In the absence of the German and Salah, Liverpool’s offense struggled at the start. Curtis Jones (18th) and Ryan Gravenberch (18th) tested Yann Sommer from a distance, otherwise Liverpool had problems with the deep defending Milanese.
Personal details and fouls were more likely to cause excitement: Inter top performer Hakan Calhanoglu had to be substituted early with a thigh problem (11th), Lautaro Martinez knocked down his opponent and was shown a yellow card (13th). Shortly afterwards, defender Francesco Acerbi also shook his head in exasperation and indicated to coach Christian Chivu that he would not continue due to injury. Inter had to make the second substitution after half an hour and German international Yann Bisseck was allowed onto the field for Acerbi.
Referee Zwayer concedes Konaté’s goal
The already disjointed game was then interrupted for several minutes. After a corner kick, Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté headed it in, but because Hugo Ekitiké had his hand on the ball when it was created, the German referee team around Felix Zwayer had their work cut out for them. Because Ekitiké’s arm was very extended, Zwayer ultimately decided on a free kick for Inter; the LFC goal did not count – to the incomprehension of Slot and Co.
The disallowance of the goal visibly gave Inter a boost, Bisseck led straight in with a powerful left-footed shot that Virgil van Dijk blocked in the penalty area. Another hand was involved, but because the Dutchman’s arm was on, Zwayer’s whistle remained silent. The Milanese, who had remained completely pale offensively up to that point, suddenly came into their own and restricted Liverpool. Deep into the long injury time of the first half, Martinez had Inter’s best chance with a header, but Alisson was there in the Liverpool goal.
There was also little spectacle in the second round
The first half had already offered very little football and scoring chances, and this trend continued in the second half. The offensive stars of both teams bit their teeth against disciplined defensive lines, with long-range shots alone causing danger here and there. The shots from Ekitiké (62′), Dominik Szoboszlai (64′) and Marcus Thuram (65′) were worth seeing, but not dangerous enough.
Visiting coach Arne Slot gives instructions to his striker Ekitiké
Slot reacted and, among other things, finally brought in Wirtz for the once again inconspicuous Alexander Isak. Liverpool had little success, especially on the wings, without Salah and the injured top performer Cody Gakpo, but even Wirtz couldn’t change that. Rather, it was Conor Bradley, who was also a substitute, who had the lead after an attack from the right, but was denied by Sommer from close range (80′).
However, in the decisive scene of the game, Wirtz was the focus: The Joker controlled the ball with his back to the goal and was pulled by the back of his jersey by Bastoni. Bastoni finally let go of the German, who then fell to the ground – but Bastoni’s intervention was too much for the VAR and Zwayer; after looking at the screen, the German referee decided on a penalty. Szoboszlai converted safely and ensured the Reds’ happy but important victory.
Decisive impulse: Joker Florian Wirtz takes the late penalty
Next Champions League games in January
For Liverpool, the so far mixed Premier League season continues on Saturday with the home game against Brighton (Saturday, 4 p.m.) before the away trip to Marseille on the 7th matchday of the Champions League in January. Inter plays in the league in Genoa (Sunday, 6 p.m.), in the premier class Inter will host the top team Arsenal FC in the next game.