Egyptian ace says close call against Inter will strengthen Reds

Liverpool could cope with its first Anfield loss in a year to still overcome Inter Milan and reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

Leading 2-0 from the last-16 first leg in Italy, Lautaro Martinez's swerving shot that reduced the deficit in the 61st minute gave the Italian champion hope of a comeback.

But within two minutes, Inter's task was made more difficult when Alexis Sanchez was sent off after his follow-through on Fabinho earned him a second booking.

Liverpool held on to lose 1-0 and advance 2-1 on aggregate. The 2019 Champions League winner is in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in five years despite its first loss in the competition this season.

Liverpool had chances to level. Mo Salah volleyed against the post and Luis Diaz's close-range shot was deflected over by Arturo Vidal.

"We struggled in the beginning," Salah said. "We managed to hold the ball up more in the second half. The most important thing is we qualified. Hopefully we'll be better in the next game."

Inter went out with only the consolation of being the first team to win at Anfield since Fulham 366 days earlier.

"The difficulties we had were pretty close to what I expected," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told broadcaster BT Sport. "Inter is a really good side and set up for these kinds of games. They are really fighters and I'm happy we don't play this type of team every week."

Liverpool is still in contention for a quadruple after winning the League Cup last month, then reaching the quarterfinals of the FA Cup and closing Manchester City's lead at the top of the Premier League to six points with a game in hand.

Inter's focus now returns to trying to catch AC Milan in Serie A, with two points to make up and a game in hand.

"We did our best at Anfield," Inter coach Simone Inzaghi said. "And we come out of these two games as a better side, strengthened."

The Italian champion was unable to scale the mountain it had to climb after losing the first leg 2-0 at home three weeks ago despite Martinez's sensational strike into the top corner just after the hour mark.

Alexis Sanchez's red card shortly afterward punctured any Inter momentum and Liverpool comfortably held out with the extra man despite slipping to just a third defeat in 44 games in all competitions this season.

The Reds had been on a 12-game winning run to keep alive their hopes of a historic quadruple of trophies.

After lifting the League Cup last month, Jurgen Klopp's men are now into the last eight of both the Champions League and FA Cup and have a game in hand to cut Manchester City's six-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

And Salah hopes the Reds can learn from a rare off night in front of goal as they failed to score for just the fourth time this season.

"We lost the game and maybe that will give us a push," said the Egyptian, who hit the post twice in the second half.

"Maybe in the back of our minds we were overconfident. It's a good game for us to learn from."

Inter was left to rue conceding two late goals in Milan three weeks ago after it had enjoyed the better of the game for much of the first leg.

"We've got to this stage for the first time in 10 years. We played against the strongest team in Europe this time and were their equal," said Inter boss Inzaghi.

"Sometimes it just takes a single episode to change the course of a game."

Inter again controlled the first half, but Liverpool had the better chances as Joel Matip crashed a header off the bar before, from the resulting corner, Virgil Van Dijk's goal-bound effort was deflected wide.

After a subdued first 45 minutes, Liverpool was fired up by Klopp at the break and should have taken the lead on the night minutes after the restart when Salah turned a loose ball inside the box onto the post.

At the other end, Martinez looked to have wasted the chance to get Inter back in the tie when he dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area.

But the Argentine made amends in spectacular fashion when he arrowed an effort into the top corner from outside the box in the 62nd minute.

Inter's joy lasted barely a minute before it was reduced to 10 men by Sanchez's ill-discipline.

The Chilean had been lucky to escape with just a yellow card for a dangerous lunge on Thiago Alcantara just before halftime and stupidly dived in on Fabinho to earn a second yellow.

Salah hit the post again 15 minutes from time and only an incredible block from Vidal denied Luis Diaz in stoppage time as Liverpool failed to make its numerical advantage count.

"I think over the two legs it is completely fine they won one, we won one, and we are through," said Klopp. "We could have done better against an opponent who makes life really uncomfortable."

Agencies