Liverpool produced knowledgeable show to beat Inter Milan 1-0 within the Champions League – and Arne Slot has Curtis Jones to thank for serving to set the tone for victory.
Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
Champions League (6) | San SiroDecember 9, 2025
Purpose: Szoboszlai pen 88′
1. An important win for Liverpool and for Slot
OK, so Liverpool didn’t precisely storm the San Siro, however within the context of their current run of type, this was an enormous, enormous win.
Slot has just lately set the Reds up to make sure they’re concerned in video games by which little occurs and, whereas that hasn’t fairly labored within the Premier League it’s arguably the proper method to those robust Champions League away video games.
It actually seemed it right here, with the guests not solely turning into the primary group to beat Inter on house soil in Europe’s premier cup competitors in three years, but in addition deserving it.
They took 12 photographs to the hosts’ 9, and 5 photographs on track to their two, whereas edging the non-penalty xG depend 0.68 to 0.43.
Sure, there was a bit of fortune in getting that spot-kick, however who may argue Slot’s facet hadn’t earned it?
2. Gravenberch nearer to his finest
That Liverpool had been so stable owed a lot to the work completed in central midfield, with Ryan Gravenberch key to that.
The Dutchman hasn’t been at his better of late, however seemed again to that as he confirmed excellence on either side of the ball in Italy.
He clocked up 5 interceptions to assist stop Inter from making something worthwhile of their moments of management.
Gravenberch additionally supplied seven passes into the ultimate third and accomplished two dribbles, together with his trademark slaloms by means of the centre guaranteeing Liverpool may progress with ease.
3. Curtis Jones steps up
Gravenberch was additionally aided by actually good efficiency from the person alongside him, Jones.
You come to anticipate it now, however the Scouser accomplished probably the most passes (67) and had the very best accuracy (96%) of anybody who performed a major function on the San Siro on Tuesday night.
He additionally received 5 of his seven duels together with three out of three dribble makes an attempt as a part of a masterful, rounded midfield efficiency.
The one concern about Jones is the common niggling accidents he picks up however, as this displaying proved, there are not any worries over his high quality.
4. Why can’t UEFA velocity up handball choices?
It’s nearly irrelevant whether or not you consider Ibrahima Konate‘s headed aim ought to have been allowed or not on condition that, if UEFA need to have a low bar for interventions on handball there’s nothing that may be completed.
But when European soccer’s governing physique need to take that zero-tolerance stance, then how can it take 5 minutes to succeed in a choice on such a second because it did tonight?
It was apparent from the second that replays confirmed the ball placing Hugo Ekitike‘s arm – inadvertently, after all – the aim wouldn’t stand.
So please, go away the referee within the center, rule the aim out rapidly, and let’s get again to the sport reasonably than watching gamers standing round trying puzzled.
5. Reds considerably enhance their top-eight hopes
Except for incomes the supervisor some respiration room, this victory additionally supplied an enormous enhance to Liverpool’s possibilities of reaching the subsequent stage of the Champions League.
They now sit within the prime eight, on monitor to keep away from a playoff – an end result that seemed like a pipedream after defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
And so they have an opportunity to seal that throughout the 2 remaining video games: a difficult journey to Marseille and residential tie in opposition to Qarabag.
That enjoying on this method appears to go well with this competitors will give hopes that Slot and Co. can salvage this season with a deep run.
