Player Ratings: Dominik Szoboszlai shines as Liverpool edge Inter Milan
Szoboszlai’s late penalty settles the match as Liverpool overcome Inter amid ongoing Salah drama
Inter Milan 0–1 Liverpool: A late spot-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai earned Arne Slot a vital win at the San Siro, tightening his grip on the squad during a period overshadowed by Mohamed Salah’s influence.
Match Summary
Liverpool’s trip to Italy ended in a tight, hard-fought 1–0 win — a result packed with determination, controversy, and relief. Arne Slot’s men boosted their pursuit of a Champions League top-eight finish in a game defined far more by grit than attacking fluency.
After an evening dominated by VAR interruptions and cagey momentum shifts, Szoboszlai kept his cool in the 88th minute, firing home the decisive penalty to seal three crucial points.
The victory moves Liverpool back into eighth place, with key fixtures remaining against Marseille away and Qarabag at Anfield — a clear chance for Slot’s side to avoid the knockout playoff round.
Although Inter Milan threatened without ever truly taking control, Liverpool showed improved defensive structure and a more mature approach in possession, even if the final third often lacked precision.
VAR Drama Sets the Tone
The game’s biggest storyline arrived long before the winning penalty.
Midway through the first half, Ibrahima Konate thought he had given Liverpool the lead after powering home a header from Szoboszlai’s corner. But a lengthy five-minute VAR check overturned the goal.
Felix Zwayer ruled that Virgil van Dijk had unintentionally headed the ball against Hugo Ekitike’s arm at close range — a decision Liverpool players disputed fiercely.
Inter looked threatening at moments, especially through Lautaro Martínez, but Alisson produced a vital save in first-half added time to keep the match level.
Then, in the dying minutes, Alessandro Bastoni brought down Florian Wirtz in the box. Zwayer pointed to the spot, Szoboszlai stepped up, and Liverpool finally broke the deadlock.
Liverpool’s Performance Under the Microscope
Slot’s side showed a mix of composure and inconsistency, but several individual displays stood out.
Ryan Gravenberch impressed with his intelligent movement and sharp decision-making, while Konate and Van Dijk provided stability at the heart of the defence.
Despite some players struggling to maintain rhythm, Liverpool stayed organized and psychologically strong during the tense closing stages.
Player Ratings — Inter Milan vs Liverpool
Liverpool
- Alisson – 7
- Joe Gomez – 6
- Ibrahima Konate – 7
- Virgil van Dijk – 7
- Andy Robertson – 6
- Ryan Gravenberch – 8
- Curtis Jones – 7
- Alexis Mac Allister – 5
- Dominik Szoboszlai – 8
- Alexander Isak – 5
- Hugo Ekitike – 6
Substitutes
- Conor Bradley – 7
- Florian Wirtz – 6
Manager
- Arne Slot – 7
Liverpool leave Milan with a priceless win, a clean sheet, and the sense that their Champions League ambitions remain very much alive. With two group games remaining, their fate is still undecided — but this performance showcased the structure, courage, and discipline Slot has been demanding from his squad.
