Liverpool bounced back from a turbulent week dominated by an explosive interview by star man Mohamed Salah with a much-needed win over Inter Milan in the Champions League.
The Egyptian was omitted from the Reds’ travelling squad after claiming he had been thrown under the bus at Anfield and stating that he no longer had a relationship with manager Arne Slot.
Those comments dominated the build-up to Liverpool’s tough test at the San Siro, but Slot’s side did their talking on the pitch with a much-improved performance.
Ibrahima Konate nodded in the opening goal just after the half hour mark but had it ruled out following a lengthy VAR check for handball. But Liverpool had VAR to thank rather than curse later on as Alessandro Bastoni was penalised for a shirt-pull on Florian Wirtz in the box, with Dominik Szoboszlai - deputising for the absent penalty-taker Salah - coolly converting the spot-kick to seal a crucial three points.
The Reds moved up to eighth in the league phase table, level on points with Inter, who dropped to fifth after a first European defeat at home in three years.
Follow all the updates from the San Siro below:
Inter Milan vs Liverpool live
- Liverpool travel to face Inter Milan in the Champions League | Live on Amazon Prime
- '88 GOAL! Szoboszlai converts cool penalty after Bastoni shirt pull on Wirtz (INT 0-1 LIV)
- '45+7 CLOSE! Martinez forces point-blank save from Alisson at end of first half (INT 0-0 LIV)
- '36 NO GOAL! Konate's goal ruled out for handball after lengthy VAR check (INT 0-0 LIV)
- '32 GOAL! Konate nods in opener from Liverpool corner (INT 0-1 LIV)
- '19 CLOSE! Jones and Gravenberch denied by Sommer (INT 0-0 LIV)
- Liverpool XI: Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Ekitike, Isak
- Inter Milan XI: Sommer, Luis Henrique, Acerbi, Bastoni, Akanji, Dimarco, Calhanoglu, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Martinez, Thuram
Mohamed Salah must take initiative for Liverpool reconciliation, suggests Arne Slot
23:15 , Flo CliffordLiverpool manager Arne Slot has suggested any attempts to repair his relationship with Mohamed Salah should come from the player himself.
Slot was able to smile and joke with the Amazon Prime panel, including former Inter player Clarence Seedorf, who quizzed him repeatedly on the Salah debacle.
“That’s your opinion,” he smiled when Seedorf suggested it should be the club making the first overture to the player after a dispute.
“Everyone makes mistakes in life but does the player know he’s made a mistake?
“I haven’t said that I’m not going to talk to him. But then you have to ask should the initiative come from me? That’s another question,” Slot posited as Seedorf continued to press.
Mohamed Salah must take initiative for Liverpool reconciliation, suggests Arne Slot
Pragmatic Liverpool prove that Arne Slot is the true winner in the Mohamed Salah saga
22:35 , Richard Jolly in MilanDominik Szoboszlai’s winning goal justified Slot’s decision to leave Salah out of the squad following his media outburst last weekend, says Richard Jolly.
Full report from our man in Milan:
Pragmatic Liverpool prove that Arne Slot is the true winner in the Mohamed Salah saga
Andy Robertson: 'We're all together in the changing room'
22:30 , Flo CliffordOn the Salah debacle, he says: “Yeah, look, it’s a tough situation. We’re talking about one of the greatest players ever to play for this club, he’s been unbelievable for us. I signed in the same window as him and we’ve been through so many highs, so many lows.
“Whatever happens now will happen internally. We’re all together in the changing room, that’s the main thing, and I think you saw that today.”
Can it be resolved? “That’ll be up to other people; it’s not up to me. But I love playing with Mo Salah and I hope to continue playing with him.”
Andy Robertson: 'A perfect night for us'
22:25 , Flo CliffordAndy Robertson chats to Amazon Prime now. “Huge result. We knew we were coming to a tough place, to a team that's in a good moment. We had to show fight, determination, we had to dig in at times. The clean sheet was crucial for us tonight, and then we go and score the goal. A perfect night for us and a big three points.
“The handball for me, I think it took seven or eight minutes. If you do that, then you have to stick to the on-field decision. You have to stick to the decision. It can’t be taking that long, everyone hanging around. The penalty did look soft but that’s given anywhere else on the pitch.
“We all needed it. We know the results and performances aren't good enough. When you’re not in the best moment, t’s important this club is in the Champions League, people that support us expect us to go far in it. It was a huge result for all of us.”
No Salah, no problem?
22:20 , Flo CliffordFour games without Salah, four games unbeaten. Liverpool certainly looked better structurally tonight than they have in a while: more compact, better in defence. Advantage Slot in that particular duel after this win, you’d have to say.
Liverpool into Champions League top eight
22:15 , Flo CliffordNot only was that a rare win and a rare clean sheet, Liverpool also moved into the Champions League top eight with that result.
That puts them in line for automatic qualification to the quarter-finals.
Three teams have a game in hand on them but the picture is looking much rosier nevertheless, with games against Marseille and Qarabag to come.
Inter drop to fifth, level on points with the Reds on 12.
Liverpool beat Inter Milan
22:13 , Flo Clifford
FULL-TIME! Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
22:02 , Flo CliffordExactly what Liverpool, and Arne Slot, needed. With Mohamed Salah left at home Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to take that penalty, and stepped up in style.
Much more solid from Liverpool, if not exactly spectacular, after a turbulent few weeks.
They are the first team to beat Inter at the San Siro in the Champions League in three years, quite amazingly.
FULL-TIME! Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
22:01 , Flo Clifford‘90+6: Luis Henrique concedes the ball cheaply. Jones releases Ekitike but Inter steal it back... and that’s it!
Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
21:59 , Flo Clifford‘90+5: Bradley hits the deck after a negligible foul and rolls over theatrically. Liverpool looking to just see this one out.
Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
21:57 , Flo Clifford‘90+3: Liverpool aren’t out of the woods yet. Martinez lets fly on the swivel and it takes a deflection behind for a corner.
Alisson jumps up to collect.
Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
21:56 , Flo Clifford‘90+2: The San Siro faithful haven’t let that penalty dampen their spirits and are still in fine voice.
Mac Allister goes down in the middle of the park and the referee points to his watch as if to tell him off for time-wasting.
Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
21:55 , Flo Clifford‘90+1: Six minutes added on.
GOAL! Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
21:52 , Flo Clifford‘88: Szoboszlai steps up to take it and is coolness personified. Pace and power, high into the top right corner. Sommer goes the right way, but can’t do much about it.
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL! Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:51 , Flo Clifford‘87: Felix Zwayer calls the two captains over to explain his decision. Van Dijk’s reaction says what’s going on before the call is actually made, clapping enthusiastically as he heads off. Bastoni gets a yellow for the shirt pull, or possibly for dissent as Inter players surround the ref.
This is a ludicrously soft penalty, but the handball felt quite harsh, so perhaps it evens out.
VAR CHECK! Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:50 , Flo Clifford‘86: The referee is sent to the monitor!
VAR CHECK! Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:49 , Flo Clifford‘85: Bradley has been lively. He gets the ball to Ekitike, with the Frenchman laying it off on the spin, forward to Wirtz. The German has his shirt pulled by Bastoni as they both go for the ball in the box, and hits the deck rather too easily.
But VAR is checking for a potential penalty... let’s hope this doesn’t take as long as the first check.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:47 , Flo Clifford‘82: Subs for the hosts. Mkhitaryan, Thuram and Dimarco are out, Sucic, Bonny and Carlos Augusto are on.
One last roll of the dice. Inter have no subs remaining.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:46 , Flo Clifford‘80: Wirtz tries to release Ekitike in behind but overhits the pass and Sommer sweeper-keeps it clear.
Bradley latches onto a ball forward at the near post and has a pop at goal, but Sommer saves!
CHANCE! Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:45 , Flo Clifford‘80: Wirtz tries to release Ekitike in behind but overhits the pass and Sommer sweeper-keeps it clear.
Bradley latches onto a ball forward at the near post and has a pop at goal, but Sommer saves!
‘74: Jones gets a yellow, presumably for backchat to referee Felix Zwayer after a foul on Mkhitaryan. Arne Slot gestures to his player to use his brain and calm down as van Dijk goes to chat to the ref. A melee looks imminent but eventually it calms down.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:39 , Flo Clifford‘74: Jones gets a yellow, presumably for backchat to referee Felix Zwayer after a foul on Mkhitaryan. Arne Slot gestures to his player to use his brain and calm down as van Dijk goes to chat to the ref. A melee looks imminent but eventually it calms down.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:35 , Flo Clifford‘70: Mac Allister is chopped down by one of three defenders marching in on him and Liverpool have a free-kick, pretty central, around 25 yards out.
Szoboszlai whips it in towards the far post... it’s headed away harmlessly.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:33 , Richard JollyAnother anonymous performance from Alexander Isak. Hugo Ekitike has been brighter than him tonight, as he has been all season.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:33 , Flo Clifford‘69: Bradley makes an immediate impact with a superb long ball to Ekitike down the left, picking out his man perfectly. Ekitike cuts it back but Gravenberch punts it over! What a waste.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:32 , Flo Clifford‘68: Swaps for Liverpool now; Wirtz comes on for Isak, who has looked a bit leggy, while Bradley trades places with Gomez at right-back.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:31 , Flo Clifford‘67: It’s not a good clearance by Gravenberch and Barella latches onto it with gratitude. He takes a touch and blasts away an attempt, but it sails over.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:30 , Flo Clifford‘66: Barella lays it off for Luis Henrique as the hosts counter again; Szoboszlai clears the lines but it’s worked back in. Thuram lets fly, whistling past the post. That wasn’t troubling Alisson.
Konate gets over-eager with a clearance rather than sending it back to his keeper and Inter have a corner.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:27 , Flo Clifford‘63: Ekitike sends a low strike directly into Sommer’s gloves, with Isak lurking for a rebound that doesn’t come.
62’: Martinez tries to whip in a shot with Inter in all sort of dangerous positions; van Dijk blocks but it’s recycled, Gomez eventually sending it behind.
The hosts come again and are certainly looking dangerous on the break. Bisseck leaves it late on Mac Allister and Liverpool have a reprieve as they set up a free-kick.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:25 , Flo Clifford62’: Martinez tries to whip in a shot with Inter in all sort of dangerous positions; van Dijk blocks but it’s recycled, Gomez eventually sending it behind.
The hosts come again and are certainly looking dangerous on the break. Bisseck leaves it late on Robertson and Liverpool have a reprieve as they set up a free-kick.
CLOSE! Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:23 , Flo Clifford‘59: Mkhitaryan goes into the book for dragging down Szoboszlai as the Hungarian jinks away from him.
Ooh, Robertson curls in a lovely ball from the left, whipped in towards Mac Allister but Bastoni makes the vital clearance! Mac Allister looks frustrated, and well he might.
Nice work by Liverpool in the build-up, with Isak getting a good touch to tee up Robertson.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:20 , Richard JollyA quiet start to the second half, which suits Liverpool. Inter haven't had enough urgency today. They boast the better bench - Liverpool's includes two goalkeepers and young defender Wellity Lucky - but it will be harder for Cristian Chivu to turn to it after using up two substitution windows. But they really ought to be looking to win this.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:19 , Flo Clifford‘54: Another faintly uninspiring start to this half. The pace has slowed right down now.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:15 , Flo Clifford‘50: Briefly a dangerous moment for Liverpool as Inter break; it’s a good ball forward by Martinez down the line to Mkhitaryan but his cross into the box loops well beyond its intended target Thuram.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:11 , Flo Clifford47’: No changes at the break for either side.
Akanji decides not to bother closing down Isak as he chases down an errant ball after Sommer miscalculates, but the Swede flashes wide.
SECOND HALF: Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:09 , Flo CliffordBack underway at San Siro.
HALF-TIME: Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
21:02 , Richard JollyA first half that Liverpool negotiated well. The closest they came to conceding was on the brink of the interval with Lautaro Martinez's header. It was a first good save from Alisson. They may need more but they are half way to a very creditable point.
HALF-TIME: Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:57 , Flo CliffordNot the most thrilling of halves. Konate, in need of some redemption after a poor few games, had the ball in the back of the net but was eventually denied after an absurdly long VAR check. Martinez nearly put the hosts ahead but Liverpool have Alisson to thank for it being all square at the break.
HALF-TIME: Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:54 , Flo Clifford45+7’: That was a superb ball by Bastoni, cutting sharply into the box from the left, with Martinez floating clear of van Dijk and nodding it down towards goal. Carving Liverpool open. Smart reaction by Alisson.
Luckily for them, that’s more or less the last action of the half. Van Dijk has a word with the ref about the handball situation.
CLOSE! Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:52 , Flo Clifford45+6’: Martinez nearly gets the opener! Alisson dives down low to his left and palms it away!
Inter pushing in the latter stages of this half...
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:51 , Flo Clifford45+5’: Zielinski fires off another shot from 22 yards out, but Alisson gathers.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:48 , Flo Clifford45+2’: Solid hold-up play by Ekitike, who lets his team get up the pitch and around him. This hasn’t been the most thrilling half but it’s been more solid from the Reds than they have been in some time.
Seven minutes added on to this half, largely because of that ludicrous VAR delay.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:46 , Flo Clifford‘45: Another corner for Inter. Barella takes it short to Dimarco; the two play a one-two but Liverpool get in the way. Isak goes down cheaply and the ref takes no notice.
Bastoni now fires a shot in from wide on the left, but Alisson has it covered.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:44 , Flo Clifford‘43: Having said that, Inter have been on top since that disallowed goal. Gravenberch tracks back as Thuram closes in on goal and Alisson can’t keep it in as he chases down at the byline.
Dimarco takes the corner... Alisson punches away but not far enough, and Ekitike hoofs it out.
Zielinski now has a crack from range, but it sails over.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:41 , Richard JollyA decent first half hour from Liverpool but also quite a poor one from Inter. They have barely threatened, rather than trying to exploit Liverpool's vulnerabilities and take advantage of a team trying to get used to a new shape. Liverpool have been patient and organised, which has not been the case in every game this season.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:40 , Flo Clifford‘39: Certainly seems a harsh decision.
Inter are quick to recover, Bisseck nearly causes Alisson a moment of worry as his effort cannons off van Dijk and sails behind for a corner.
Isak cuts it out but Inter recycle... van Dijk heads it out again but Ekitike gets a yellow and concedes a free-kick for nipping Thuram’s outstretched leg with his own.
Barella’s delivery is strong but just bends slightly to the left of goal!
NO GOAL! Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:37 , Flo Clifford‘36: After an absurdly lengthy check, it’s chalked off for handball. Konate gives a rueful grin but Liverpool aren’t impressed.
VAR CHECK: Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
20:36 , Flo Clifford‘35: Three minutes and counting. Shearer isn’t impressed.
The ball seemed to hit Ekitike’s arm, or possibly van Dijk’s, en route to Konate. The ref is being called to the monitor.
VAR CHECK: Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
20:35 , Flo Clifford‘34: This is rather a lengthy check. Arne Slot chats quite cordially to the fourth official in the meantime.
GOAL! Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
20:33 , Flo Clifford‘32: Frustrating for Inter, two subs out of five made already.
Hello, it’s a corner for Liverpool... Ekitike rises to it at the far post, and Konate nods it in only a yard or so out!
Inter are appealing for a hand ball... it’s being checked.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:31 , Flo Clifford‘31: Back down the other end Ekitike floats in, nearly running out of room at the byline as he’s chased down by Acerbi, sitting his man down. He forces a stop at close range from Sommer, with Isak waiting at the far post.
In fact, it looks like Acerbi may need to head off too, having pulled something there. He looks to be in pain, pointing to his hamstring.
He will indeed come off, to be replaced by Bisseck.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:28 , Flo Clifford‘27: For the first time Liverpool are put under pressure in the box, with Thuram and Martinez combining. Good defending from van Dijk, who sticks doggedly to Martinez. The Argentinian goes down very easily in the hope of a penalty but the ref is highly unimpressed.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:25 , Flo Clifford‘24: Isak miscontrols under pressure from Barella and puts Liverpool in a spot of bother as Martinez gets away down the left, but the flag goes up to spare his blushes.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:22 , Flo Clifford‘21: Liverpool win a corner as Ekitike chests the ball down to Szoboszlai... it goes behind for another at the other side, the Hungarian electing to take this one too.
This one is headed away by the first man but Gravenberch recycles... Robertson sends a speculative long-range effort into Sommer’s gloves.
CLOSE! Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:19 , Flo Clifford‘19: Promising from Jones, who jinks and jives into the box and forces the first real save from Sommer with a low strike. The keeper spills but recovers before Szoboszlai can get the rebound.
Gravenberch is next to try with a thumping strike, but Sommer leaps down to get that too. Better from the visitors.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:18 , Flo Clifford‘17: Robertson looks to be in some discomfort but he eventually hops back up.
This has felt fairly sedate from both sides so far, that tackle aside.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:15 , Richard JollyA blow for Inter as Hakan Calhanoglu goes off but Liverpool may not be pleased to see his replacement. Piotr Zielinski scored twice in one of Liverpool's worst days in Italy, the 4-1 defeat to Napoli in 2022
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:15 , Flo Clifford‘14: Looked like either a hamstring or groin problem for Zielinski.
Lautaro Martinez is the first into the book for a rather nasty challenge on Robertson, sliding in and clattering the Scot with his shins, completely taking him out. Mark Clattenburg says it could have been a red if he went in with his studs. Robertson stays down for a while and is being checked over.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:12 , Flo Clifford‘11: Bad news for the hosts as Calhanoglu appears to have picked up an injury and he can’t continue. He’s replaced by Zielinski.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:11 , Flo Clifford‘10: Good ball in from Isak to Gomez down the right, who lays it off into the box, but there’s no-one at the near post to take advantage and Sommer gratefully dives to collect.
Inter Milan 0-0 Liverpool
20:09 , Flo Clifford‘8: A pretty controlled start by Liverpool. Barella shifts down the left but Gomez cuts it out, passing back to his keeper.
Former Inter defender Cristian Chiva is in the hosts’ dugout.
Mkhitaryan hacks down Isak for a Liverpool free-kick. Szoboszlai stands ready to take... he sends it towards Robertson but it falls kindly for the first man.
Inter Milan v Liverpool
20:06 , Flo Clifford‘5: Liverpool have a spell of possession early doors to settle the nerves, but Inter are growing into this now. On Amazon Prime Video commentary, Alan Shearer says Liverpool’s shape “looks very, very good at the minute”, in the dubious tone of someone expecting it to all go horribly wrong.
Inter Milan v Liverpool
20:05 , Richard JollyThe only slight surprise is that Mac Allister appears to be at the tip of the diamond, so Szoboszlai's running power is being used on the right. The Inter fans are making quite a racket and San Siro is one of the world's great grounds (definitely from the outside, anyway) so it could be a terrific night
Inter Milan v Liverpool
20:04 , Flo Clifford‘3: Liverpool get things underway. Ekitike gets himself into space down the left channel but has two men marking his every move.
Now Isak runs onto a sweet ball from Szoboszlai, but Acerbi gets in the way of a not-so-great pass towards Ekitike. Liverpool getting into the right positions.
Gomez launches an inviting ball into Sommer’s gloves.
KICK-OFF: Inter Milan v Liverpool
20:01 , Flo CliffordHere we go!
The teams walk out into the San Siro, as majestic as ever. The Champions League anthem rings out. This has got the feeling of a huge game, with the atmosphere electric already.
Moments to go
19:59 , Flo CliffordThe teams walk out into the San Siro, as majestic as ever. The Champions League anthem rings out. This has got the feeling of a huge game, with the atmosphere electric already.
Five minutes to go
19:55 , Flo Clifford
Team news reminder
19:52 , Flo CliffordInter Milan XI: Sommer, Luis Henrique, Acerbi, Bastoni, Akanji, Dimarco, Calhanoglu, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Martinez, Thuram
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Ekitike, Isak
Match stats
19:48 , Chris WilsonSince losing their first two Champions League home matches of 2022 – one of which was against Liverpool – Inter have gone unbeaten in their last 18 home matches in the competition, winning 15 and drawing three. This is the longest current streak in the competition.
Liverpool have won five of their last six away games against Italian sides in Europe, including one at the San Siro last season (3-1 v AC Milan in September 2024). In fact, they have won all four of the away games they have played at that venue in the Champions League.
Arne Slot’s tough stance on Mohamed Salah leaves Liverpool star with one option
19:42 , Flo CliffordNo more Mr Nice Guy, perhaps. If Arne Slot can cut a friendly figure, the Dutchman feels he has an inner toughness. In his most testing time, the Liverpool manager may have demonstrated that, even if the explanation was delivered in his usual mild-mannered fashion.
“Usually I’m calm, I’m polite but it doesn’t mean I’m weak so if a player has these comments about so many things, then it’s about me and the club to react,” he said. “We reacted in way you can see: he’s not here.”
More from Richard Jolly here:
Arne Slot’s tough stance on Mohamed Salah leaves Liverpool star with one option
Head-to-head
19:36 , Chris WilsonThese two sides have met six times in the European Cup, with Liverpool winning four of the previous matches and Inter winning the other two.
The first meeting came at the semi-final stage in 1964/65, when Liverpool won 3-1 at Anfield but lost 3-0 in Milan as the Italian side won a second straight European Cup, with the final coincidentally held at the San Siro.
Liverpool have had the better of the Italian giants since then though, winning 3-0 on aggregate in the round of 16 in 2007/08 and then winning 2-1 at the same stage in 2021/22.
Inter Milan v Liverpool
19:33 , Flo Clifford
Arne Slot: Isak and Ekitike 'need to find connection'
19:30 , Flo CliffordArne Slot tells Amazon Prime: “The thinking behind the lineup is that there are not so many available. In my opinion, we don't have wingers available except for Rio who his very young. The most logical solution is two number nines.
“They [Ekitike and Isak] are good players, but it is normal that they need to find a connection together.”
‘He’ll be embarrassed and hurt’: Alan Shearer weighs in on Mo Salah’s Liverpool fallout
19:26 , Michael JonesFootball pundits Alan Shearer and Daniel Sturridge have given their thoughts on Mohamed Salah’s deteriorating situation at Liverpool after the winger’s confronting outburst at the weekend.
Speaking as part of the pre-match build-up coverage on Amazon Prime, Shearer - who faced a similar falling out with manager Ruud Gullit during his playing days with Newcastle - offered an insight into Salah’s thought process.
Alan Shearer weighs in on ‘embarrassed’ Mo Salah’s fallout with Liverpool
Curtis Jones: 'We want to put up a fight'
19:21 , Flo CliffordAsked about the mood in the camp, Jones says: “Positive. We’re always positive – we want to play well and win every game.”
Inter have a formidable home record in Europe - their last home defeat was in September 2022 against Bayern Munich, and since then they’ve won 15 and drawn three times. Jones says: “We’re coming here to take that [record] away. And just play our game as well. We want to be brave on the ball and put up a fight.”
Curtis Jones: 'It would be mad to come into a game thinking about a loss'
19:17 , Flo CliffordCurtis Jones speaks on Amazon Prime: “Every game we approach now we want to win. That's what we are trying to do today.
“I'm not thinking about a loss. I'm just thinking of going out there, playing well and win. I think it would be mad to come into a game like this thinking about a loss.
“If I look left and right around me, there are lads that are world class. That can score goals, can assist, that can help the team. That's all you want to see.”
Five possible Mohamed Salah replacements for Liverpool after rant puts future in doubt
19:10 , Chris WilsonLiverpool’s Mohamed Salah has thrown his future into doubt after an explosive rant in which he spoke of a breakdown in his relationship with Arne Slot while accusing the club of throwing him under the bus.
Salah signed a new contract earlier this year to seemingly commit his future to the club, but his comments appear to make a departure as soon as January likely — particularly with the Egyptian left out of the squad for the Champions League game against Inter Milan.
Only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt have more goals for Liverpool than the 33-year-old, although Salah has been short of his best this season amid Liverpool’s struggles in Slot’s second season in charge.
Five possible Mohamed Salah replacements for Liverpool with future in doubt
Team news - Inter Milan
19:06 , Flo CliffordInter boss Cristian Chiva meanwhile has kept the same side which hammered Como 4-0 at the weekend.
Isak and Ekitike start together
18:59 , Flo CliffordThis is the first time Isak and Ekitike start together since the 5-1 drubbing of Eintracht Frankfurt, which feels rather a long time ago - but if the new-look front line pays off tonight it’ll send a clear message to Mo Salah back at home.
There’s no place in the starting XI for the other expensive summer signing Florian Wirtz, who’s on the bench in one of four changes.
Team news - Liverpool
18:55 , Richard JollyDiamonds are forever. Or for Liverpool managers without any wingers anyway. Arne Slot picks four central midfielders in a diamond while Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike start together for just the second time.
Team news - Inter Milan
18:53 , Flo CliffordInter Milan XI: Sommer, Luis Henrique, Acerbi, Bastoni, Akanji, Dimarco, Calhanoglu, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Martinez, Thuram
Substitutes: J Martinez, Taho, De Vrij, Zielinski, Sucic, Bonny, Frattesi, Diouf, Carlos Augusto, Bisseck, Cocchi, Esposito.
Team news - Liverpool
18:49 , Flo CliffordLiverpool XI: Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Ekitike, Isak
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Kerkez, Wirtz, Bradley, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Lucky
The Reds to take on Inter 👊🔴 #UCL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 9, 2025
Team news
18:40 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups should be announced in the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news...
Inter will be without the injured trio of Matteo Darmian, Tomas Palacios and Raffaele Di Gennaro, but Denzel Dumfries may be fit for a cameo if not a start as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Mohamed Salah has not travelled with the Liverpool squadafter his stunning outburst. None of Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa or Wataru Endo have made the trip, either, due to fitness issues.
‘It’s disgusting what they’re doing to Mohamed Salah’: Fans react to Liverpool star’s benching row
18:30 , Independent StaffIndependent readers have reacted with shock and disbelief after Mohamed Salah accused Liverpool of “throwing him under the bus” and making him a scapegoat for the team’s poor form.
The Egyptian, who has been benched by Arne Slot for the last three games, said he no longer has a relationship with the manager and accused the club of breaking promises made to him.
Salah indicated he could be leaving Liverpool after the African Cup of Nations, with next weekend’s Brighton game potentially serving as his farewell.
Readers were divided by his comments. Some expressed sympathy for Salah, highlighting his 250 career goals and record-equalling 47 goal involvements last season, and criticised Liverpool for sidelining a player of his calibre.
Others argued that age and form inevitably affect a player’s starting place – and that no individual, no matter their previous contributions, is bigger than the team.
Carragher responds with fresh barb to Salah's gym selfie
18:20 , Flo CliffordAnd Jamie Carragher has weighed in on that too. He claimed “I’m not sure I’ve wanted Liverpool to win a game more for a long time” after Mohamed Salah posted a photo of himself training alone as he prepares to miss the Champions League trip to Inter Milan this evening.
I’m not sure I’ve wanted Liverpool to win a game more than tonight for a long time!
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) December 9, 2025
Come you mighty 🔴🤞 https://t.co/V0vhBwFW2i
Mo Salah posts gym selfie as he trains on his own after Liverpool rant
18:10 , Flo CliffordDespite all the furore Salah reported for training on Tuesday morning, taking the opportunity to post a pointed photo to social media showing him all alone in the gym.
He is one of four major players left behind for tonight’s trip to the San Siro, with Cody Gakpo, Wataru Endo, and Federico Chiesa all missing out for fitness reasons.
Mohamed Salah has lost his superpower and his incendiary Liverpool rant points to a painful outcome
18:00 , Chris Wilson“If I speak, there will be fire,” said Mohamed Salah after what had been a rarity, a Premier League game when he had been benched. That was at West Ham in April 2024, not November 2025. When he did speak, in December 2025, it was incendiary.
Six goals were shared in an astonishing second half at Elland Road, each overshadowed by a rare audience with Salah. The accusations that followed were extraordinary. That Liverpool have thrown him under the bus, that someone – who he left unnamed – wants to blame him, that the club has broken promises to him, that his relationship with Arne Slot is non-existent.
Salah dropped hints about his future, talking about waving goodbye when he goes to the African Cup of Nations 2025; it could be a permanent farewell. It is possible to view a situation that he deemed unacceptable to him now beyond repair for Liverpool.
Mohamed Salah has lost his superpower and Liverpool rant points to one outcome
Carragher and Salah in war of words
17:52 , Flo CliffordSalah himself name-checked Carragher in his explosive interview at Elland Road, saying: “Tomorrow Carragher is going to go for me again and again and that’s fine.”
And the Reds legend obliged, saying on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football: “I thought it was a disgrace what he did after the game. Some people have painted it as an emotional outburst. I don’t think it was. I think whenever Mo Salah stops in a mixed zone, which he’s done four times in eight years at Liverpool, it’s choreographed with him and his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his own position.
“He’s chose this weekend to do this, and he’s waited I think to choose a bad result for Liverpool. Supporters, the manager, everyone at the club feels like they’re in the gutter and he’s chosen that time to go for the manager and maybe get him sacked.”
Jamie Carragher launches tirade at Mo Salah: 'A disgrace'
17:45 , Flo CliffordJamie Carragher has responded to Mohamed Salah’s bombshell Liverpool interview by calling his comments a “disgrace”, accusing the star forward of trying to get head coach Arne Slot sacked and only thinking about “me, me, me”.
In a stunning rebuke of one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, who Carragher said would go down in history as a Liverpool legend, the former defender and Sky Sports pundit reminded Salah that he had won nothing before arriving at Anfield and that football is not about the “individual”.
‘A disgrace’: Carragher responds to Salah’s bombshell Liverpool interview
Predicted line-ups
17:37 , Chris WilsonInter Milan XI: Sommer; Akanji, Bisseck, Bastoni; Augusto, Zielinski, Barella, Calhanoglu, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike; Isak
Pre-match thoughts from Inter boss
17:30 , Mike JonesChristian Chivu, Inter Milan’s head coach, said: "Avoiding the play-offs?
“It's everyone's goal to play two fewer games. We are working on every aspect and trying to give everyone minutes.
“We are rotating the squad, trying to keep the players happy and get them in shape."
The true meaning behind Mohamed Salah’s rant and how Liverpool can fix him
17:22 , Mike JonesIf we now know most of what is on Mohamed Salah’s mind, the great question is what Arne Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy are thinking behind the scenes.
The Egyptian did not travel to Milan for the important Champions League match with Inter Milan after his extraordinary tirade, and while these are strong optics, it is not being presented as some final decisive call.
Slot has already said that his relationship is not broken, and that after this game, they will look at the situation again.
The true meaning behind Mohamed Salah’s rant and how Liverpool can fix him
Liverpool team news
17:15 , Chris WilsonMohamed Salah has not travelled with the Liverpool squad after his stunning outburst. None of Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa or Wataru Endo have made the trip, either, due to fitness issues.
Inter Milan team news
17:07 , Chris WilsonInter will be without the injured trio of Matteo Darmian, Tomas Palacios and Raffaele Di Gennaro, but Denzel Dumfries may be fit for a cameo if not a start as he recovers from an ankle injury.
How things stand in Champions League table
16:58 , Mike JonesLet’s take a look at where things lie in the Champions League ahead of tonight’s matches.
Inter Milan sit fourth behind Arsenal, PSG and Bayern Munich. They’ve won four of their five matches and have 12 points with three games to play.
Liverpool meanwhile are 13th with only nine points. That’s still three wins from five but they were heavily beaten 4-1 at Anfield by PSV Eindhoven in their last outing.
A win could be enough to send the Reds into the top eight and the automatic qualifying spots depending on other results this week.
Slot breaks silence on Salah’s stunning tirade
16:48 , Mike JonesArne Slot has responded to Mohamed Salah’s extraordinary tirade in which the Egyptian forward accused Liverpool of making him a scapegoat for their troubled season.
Slot admitted he was “surprised” at Salah’s outburst but would not commit when pushed over whether the Reds legend had played his last game for the club.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot breaks silence on Mohamed Salah’s stunning tirade
Slot has ‘no clue’ if Salah has played his last game for Liverpool
16:42 , Mike JonesArne Slot spoke to the media on Tuesday in the aftermath of Mo Salah’s accusations and could not confirm whether the winger has played his last match for the club.
The manager said: “I have no clue [if he has played his last game for Liverpool]. I cannot answer that question.”
However, the Dutchman added: “I am a firm believer there’s always a possibility to return.”
Will Salah play for Liverpool again?
16:36 , Mike JonesWith Mo Salah out of the Champions League match at the San Siro, the 33-year-old could now be missing for the Reds on Saturday when Brighton visit Anfield.
He had suggested it could be his last match for Liverpool as the forward will go to Afcon before the transfer window opens in January.
So, will Salah play for Liverpool again? At the minute that is unknown.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
