Liverpool beat inter after a late penalty as Salah stays away and fans back slot in Milan
Liverpool secured a vital Champions League victory at San Siro on a night shaped as much by the absent Mohamed Salah as by the football on the pitch. Dominik Szoboszlai delivered the decisive moment in the eighty eighth minute, converting a penalty that brought Inter’s long unbeaten European home run to an abrupt end. The win also provided Arne Slot with much needed authority after a turbulent few days in which Salah openly criticised his manager and ruled himself out of the trip.
The match unfolded against a backdrop of tension that had little to do with Inter. Liverpool supporters made their feelings clear from the opening whistle, singing Slot’s name from the upper tiers of the stadium. Salah’s song never surfaced. The Egyptian had chosen not to travel after his explosive interview at Elland Road, leaving Liverpool without their most prolific Champions League scorer. Slot faced the challenge of managing both the scrutiny and a squad hit by absences, yet his players delivered a disciplined and defiant display.
Inter had not lost at home in Europe since September 2022, but the Italian side looked unsettled early in the contest. Their rhythm faltered when Hakan Calhanoglu departed through injury after only eleven minutes. Francesco Acerbi followed soon afterwards with a suspected hamstring problem, adding further disruption. Lautaro Martinez, who has led Inter’s charge in recent seasons, appeared frustrated and earned an early booking for a late challenge on Andy Robertson.
Liverpool approached the match with patience and control. Their attack, led by Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, pressed Inter’s three man central defence and caused persistent confusion. Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister rotated through midfield, while Szoboszlai found pockets of space with increasing regularity. Sommer saved from both Jones and Ekitike, but Liverpool believed they had earned the breakthrough when Konate headed in from close range after a flick on from Ekitike. A lengthy check followed and the goal was eventually disallowed for handball.
Inter grew into the game, and their captain almost changed the complexion of the contest when he connected powerfully with a header. Alisson reacted sharply to deny him. At the other end, Liverpool continued to probe, and Bastoni was forced into an important clearance inside his own area following an intricate move involving Gravenberch and Isak that helped Robertson find space on the left.
The match appeared destined for a draw until the video assistant referee intervened. Florian Wirtz went down in the area under pressure from Bastoni, and the referee was summoned to the pitchside monitor. After a brief review, he pointed to the spot. The contact was minimal, but Liverpool had no intention of questioning their fortune. Szoboszlai stepped up and drove the ball high beyond Sommer into the top corner.
Relief surged through the Liverpool squad. A team weighed down by criticism had taken a major step forward without the player who usually dominates their European story. Slot embraced Wirtz at full time and acknowledged the shift in atmosphere. The defensive structure had held firm, the midfield had worked tirelessly and the forwards had stretched Inter throughout the evening.
Salah watched events unfold from afar, having given Liverpool no choice but to exclude him from the squad. Had he been in Milan, he almost certainly would have taken the decisive penalty. Instead Szoboszlai claimed the moment and ensured Liverpool’s Champions League campaign regained balance at a crucial stage. As the players applauded the travelling fans, Slot’s name echoed once more around San Siro and questions about the club’s next steps with Salah only grew louder.