2021-2022 UEFA CL: Liverpool vs. Inter Milan

(The Guardian) Preamble (agg: 2-0 after first leg)
--The first leg of this was a slightly strange affair. Internazaionale outplayed Liverpool at San Siro for the best part of an hour, only for Jurgen Klopp to make a double change that titled the balance. Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah scored late, and Liverpool’s only regret was that Uefa have abolished the old away goals rule. Still, a two-goal first-leg lead is nothing to be sniffed at, and that’s seven wins out of seven for Klopp’s in-form side in the Champions League.

--Liverpool have won 11 of their last 12 matches in all competitions, and the other one was a draw that led to a penalty shoot-out and their first silverware of the season. Yep, they’re in form all right, albeit fortunate to defeat West Ham last weekend at Anfield. Inter by contrast have won only one of the four matches they’ve played since the first leg, though that was a 5-0 rout of Salernitana last Friday. Until Lautaro Martínez’s 22nd-minute opener, Inter had gone 425 minutes without a goal in all competitions. He went on to score a hat-trick.

--Liverpool have won all 34 European ties in which they won the first leg away from home. Inter, the champions of Italy and perfectly capable of giving them a match, will observe that records are there to be broken. Away goals may not count double any more, but the first one scored tonight will carry plenty of weight. Kick off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!

(The Guardian) Inter get the ball rolling ... but only after Liverpool take a knee. There’s no room for racism. A few boos reflecting Inter’s decision not to kneel.

(The Guardian) 6 min: Perisic strides off down the left and dinks infield, hoping to find Martinez. Robertson eyebrows away from danger, just in time as well, because Martinez was shaping to volley home, eight yards out. This is a statement start by Inter, who are first to most things at the moment.

Liverpool's Joel Matip in action with Inter Milan's Arturo Vidal. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

(The Guardian) 12 min: Inter have managed to complete their first task with this impressive start: they’ve quietened Anfield on a European night.

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14 min: Sanchez slams the ball into the net, but it’s a futile gesture, the flag having long gone up for offside.

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15 min: Sanchez is buzzing around at 101 miles per hour. He’s causing the Liverpool back four some anxiety ... and the home crowd are in lockstep with their heroes. Inter have been the better team during these early exchanges.