Liverpool took a huge step towards the Champions League quarter-finals after scoring two late goals against Inter Milan in the San Siro.
The Reds looked set for a goalless draw in the first leg until Brazil forward Roberto Firmino got on the end of Andrew Robertson’s corner to head his side into the lead.
Mohamed Salah added a second with a deflected attempt from inside the box to earn Jurgen Klopp’s side a big advantage.
Italian champions Inter hit the bar through Hakan Çalhanoglu and were on top for long periods of the second half before Firmino struck in the 75th minute.
Lethal Reds impress in Italy
Liverpool have now won seven matches in all competitions, with this arguably the most impressive of the current run.
But Jurgen Klopp’s team had to dig deep as Inter looked the more threatening side after a strong start by the Premier League club.
Former Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko found himself clean through in the first half before a vital challenge by Virgil van Dijk, who was captaining the Reds in the absence of Jordan Henderson.
The hosts went close again when Ivan Perisic whipped in a cross, but Lautaro Martinez was unable to give Inter the lead.
In a fascinating match, Liverpool – who gave 18-year-old Harvey Elliott his first Champions League start – took the lead through Firmino’s glancing 75th-minute header before Salah doubled the lead eight minutes later.
There is still work to do for Klopp’s team but it is going to require something extra special from Inter to turn this tie around.
Teenager Elliott embraces San Siro stage
Despite it only being half full because of Covid-19 restrictions, there was an incredible atmosphere inside the San Siro for the first meeting between these two clubs for 14 years.
Elliott, who does not turn 19 until April, embraced the occasion on what was his first start since suffering a serious ankle injury in September.
The teenager did not look out of place on one of the most famous stages in world football and produced a cross in the first half which was just cut out before Salah could poke it over the line.
Elliott was replaced in the 59th minute as part of a triple change as Klopp attempted to turn the tide as Inter threatened – a move that worked as Liverpool went on to establish a strong advantage.
