What Inter need to finish in Champions League top eight after 1-0 Liverpool loss | OneFootball

Inter slipped to their second consecutive Champions League defeat with their 1-0 loss at home against Liverpool on Tuesday evening, and now, Cristian Chivu’s side are left aiming for results against both Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund if they are to qualify directly for the round of 16.

Inter fell short in the final minutes for the second Champions League match in a row. They had been beaten 2-1 by Atletico Madrid thanks to a Jose Maria Gimenez winner in the 93rd minute in November, and then lost 1-0 to an 88th-minute Dominik Szoboszlai penalty against Liverpool on Tuesday.

The Liverpool loss was not without its controversies, though, as the majority of pundits, papers and players admit that the penalty awarded against Alessandro Bastoni for a shirt pull on Florian Wirtz was soft.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool FC scores their team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at Stadio San Siro on December 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Where Inter stand in Champions League race after controversial Liverpool penalty

As things stand, Inter are in fifth place in the Champions League table on 12 points from six matches. Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Newcastle United could overtake them if they win their matches on Wednesday night.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Nicolo’ Barella of FC Internazionale disputes with Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool FC during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at Stadio San Siro on December 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Nerazzurri are still nailed on to receive a spot in the Champions League play-off round at a minimum. Last season, 11 points in the league phase was enough for a spot in the play-offs, and Inter have already exceeded that total (12).

Finishing in the top eight and earning an automatic spot in the round of 16 now looks tough, however.

Last season, 16 points was the eventual cut-off for a spot in the top eight, and if the same is true in 2025-26, Inter still need another four points from their remaining league phase fixtures against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in January.