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Preview: Inter take on Liverpool in heavyweight European clash

Preview: Inter take on Liverpool in heavyweight European clash

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How will Mohamed Salah’s bombshell comments affect Liverpool as they travel to Italy to take on Inter Milan in the Champions League?

By Graham Ruthven

The beginning of the end?

While Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Leeds United offered enough talking points on its own, Mohamed Salah’s astonishing remarks after the game sent the Anfield club spiralling into a new phase of crisis.

Salah has pitted himself directly against Arne Slot, revealing that his relationship with the Dutch manager has broken down. The Egyptian also accused Liverpool of blaming him for the team’s problems this season.

Reports suggest Salah will be left at home for the trip to Italy, suggesting a January departure could be on the cards. Is this how the 33-year-old’s Liverpool career ends?

All this is a far-from-ideal backdrop to Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan. Having already lost to Galatasaray and PSV in the League Phase, Liverpool need points to bolster their position in the table.

Inter, on the other hand, are in good form having won seven of their last nine games in all competitions. This run includes an impressive 4-0 win over Como on Saturday.

Last season’s Champions League finalists are experienced operators who have repeatedly shown their ability to compete against the very best in Europe. Tuesday’s encounter could produce fireworks.

Key players

Lautaro Martínez remains Inter’s main man in attack. The Argentinean has scored four goals in as many Champions League appearances this season and is expected to start up top alongside Ange Bonny.

If Inter are to control Tuesday’s match at San Siro, their midfield will need to be in top form. Only Federico Dimarco has created more chances for the Nerazzurri this season than Nicolo Barella while Hakan Çalhanoğlu is a threat from set pieces.

Alessandro Bastoni is averaging 5.9 long passes per 90 minutes, highlighting how important the Italian international is to Inter’s game plan of attacking open space at speed. Liverpool must close him down.

This season has been a struggle for Liverpool, but Hugo Ekitike has still managed to catch the eye, scoring eight goals in all competitions. The Frenchman should start up front on Tuesday.

Dominik Szoboszlai is another Liverpool player who has shone in challenging circumstances. Nobody has created more chances for the Reds this season than the Hungarian.

Virgil van Dijk hasn’t been at his sparkling best recently, but the Dutch defender is still averaging 8.8 clearances per game. He remains Liverpool’s defensive foundation.

Team news

Conor Bradley is expected to start at right back after returning from a muscular injury in the 3-3 draw at Elland Road on Saturday. This is especially likely due to Jeremie Frimpong’s continued absence.

Cody Gakpo didn’t train on Monday, meaning he could be another absentee with Giovanni Leoni currently sidelined until the end of the season.

Denzel Dumfries is pushing to make a return from an ankle injury although Tuesday’s match could come too soon for the Netherlands international to start. He could be on the Inter Milan bench.

Matteo Darmian, Tomás Palacios and Raffaele Di Gennaro are all expected to be unavailable for the Nerazzurri against Liverpool.

Prediction

With Liverpool bang out of form and with the star man of last season, and the seasons before that, seemingly dropped, Arne Slot needs a result. But Inter have been good at the San Siro, where they have won seven of their last eight, and they’ve impressed with three wins from four in the Champions League. Perhaps a score draw is likely: Inter 2-2 Liverpool.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Inter take on Liverpool in heavyweight European clash

How will Mohamed Salah’s bombshell comments affect Liverpool as they travel to Italy to take on Inter Milan in the Champions League?

By Graham Ruthven

The beginning of the end?

While Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Leeds United offered enough talking points on its own, Mohamed Salah’s astonishing remarks after the game sent the Anfield club spiralling into a new phase of crisis.

Salah has pitted himself directly against Arne Slot, revealing that his relationship with the Dutch manager has broken down. The Egyptian also accused Liverpool of blaming him for the team’s problems this season.

Reports suggest Salah will be left at home for the trip to Italy, suggesting a January departure could be on the cards. Is this how the 33-year-old’s Liverpool career ends?

All this is a far-from-ideal backdrop to Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan. Having already lost to Galatasaray and PSV in the League Phase, Liverpool need points to bolster their position in the table.

Inter, on the other hand, are in good form having won seven of their last nine games in all competitions. This run includes an impressive 4-0 win over Como on Saturday.

Last season’s Champions League finalists are experienced operators who have repeatedly shown their ability to compete against the very best in Europe. Tuesday’s encounter could produce fireworks.

Key players

Lautaro Martínez remains Inter’s main man in attack. The Argentinean has scored four goals in as many Champions League appearances this season and is expected to start up top alongside Ange Bonny.

If Inter are to control Tuesday’s match at San Siro, their midfield will need to be in top form. Only Federico Dimarco has created more chances for the Nerazzurri this season than Nicolo Barella while Hakan Çalhanoğlu is a threat from set pieces.

Alessandro Bastoni is averaging 5.9 long passes per 90 minutes, highlighting how important the Italian international is to Inter’s game plan of attacking open space at speed. Liverpool must close him down.

This season has been a struggle for Liverpool, but Hugo Ekitike has still managed to catch the eye, scoring eight goals in all competitions. The Frenchman should start up front on Tuesday.

Dominik Szoboszlai is another Liverpool player who has shone in challenging circumstances. Nobody has created more chances for the Reds this season than the Hungarian.

Virgil van Dijk hasn’t been at his sparkling best recently, but the Dutch defender is still averaging 8.8 clearances per game. He remains Liverpool’s defensive foundation.

Team news

Conor Bradley is expected to start at right back after returning from a muscular injury in the 3-3 draw at Elland Road on Saturday. This is especially likely due to Jeremie Frimpong’s continued absence.

Cody Gakpo didn’t train on Monday, meaning he could be another absentee with Giovanni Leoni currently sidelined until the end of the season.

Denzel Dumfries is pushing to make a return from an ankle injury although Tuesday’s match could come too soon for the Netherlands international to start. He could be on the Inter Milan bench.

Matteo Darmian, Tomás Palacios and Raffaele Di Gennaro are all expected to be unavailable for the Nerazzurri against Liverpool.

Prediction

With Liverpool bang out of form and with the star man of last season, and the seasons before that, seemingly dropped, Arne Slot needs a result. But Inter have been good at the San Siro, where they have won seven of their last eight, and they’ve impressed with three wins from four in the Champions League. Perhaps a score draw is likely: Inter 2-2 Liverpool.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.