Champions League Preview: Inter vs Liverpool – Team News, Lineups & Prediction | OneFootball

Stadio San Siro forms the backdrop for a mouth-watering Champions League showdown between Inter and Liverpool. One of the standout fixtures of Matchday 6 pits the two teams against each other for the first time since 2022.

Inter and Liverpool last met in the 2021/22 Champions League Round of 16, with the Reds progressing as 2-1 aggregate winners. Indeed, Lautaro Martinez’s stunning winner at Anfield was insufficient to overturn Liverpool’s 2-0 first-leg victory at San Siro.

Therefore, the Nerazzurri will have revenge on their minds when they take on Arne Slot’s underperforming side later this evening. Inter head into proceedings in a buoyant mood after demolishing Como 4-0 on Saturday, halting the Lariani’s formidable 12-game unbeaten Serie A streak.

In doing so, Cristian Chivu has extended Inter’s winning run in all competitions to three matches, setting his side up perfectly for this European classic. In stark contrast to Inter’s purple patch, Liverpool’s dreadful first half of the season took another hit at the weekend.

A goal-glutted 3-3 draw at Leeds United condemned the Reds to their fifth winless outing in their last six, putting title-winning manager Slot on the precipice of dismissal. Another underwhelming result on Italian soil could put the final nail in the Dutchman’s coffin as Liverpool manager.

Match Preview

Inter

Despite suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at Atletico Madrid last time out, Inter have set one foot in the Champions League last-16. Indeed, four consecutive wins to kick off their first European campaign under Chivu have placed the Nerazzurri on the brink of second automatic Round-of-16 qualification on the bounce.

Chivu’s charges have responded strongly to their last-gasp heartache at the Metropolitano Stadium, netting 11 goals in their last three matches. Another emphatic performance is well on the cards, considering the 20-time Italian champions are unbeaten in 18 successive home games in the Champions League main draw (W15, D3).

Further confidence stems from Inter’s dominant record against Premier League clubs. They’ve won four of their last five group/league stage encounters against English sides. However, it’s worth noting that Inter have lost four of their six previous meetings with Liverpool (W2), with just two of those clashes seeing both teams score.

Liverpool

Less than six months since guiding Liverpool to a landmark 20th title in England’s top flight, Slot has emerged as one of the most unpopular figures among the Anfield faithful. With the Reds fans demanding the Dutch manager’s head on a platter, the reigning Premier League holders cannot afford a slip-up at Giuseppe Meazza.

However, that could prove easier said than done, as they arrive in Italy without Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian talisman has fallen out of favor with Slot and is now on the verge of cutting ties with the club. Salah’s absence could significantly derail Liverpool’s chances of bouncing back from an embarrassing 4-1 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the last round.

Yet, Liverpool can find comfort in their impressive away form, having won seven of their last nine European fixtures on the road (L2). Interestingly, Liverpool’s last 31 Champions League group-stage matches all produced a winner, indicating this clash will likely follow suit.

Team News

In addition to long-term absentees Denzel Dumfries and Matteo Darmian, Inter will likely be without Manuel Akanji. Indeed, the 30-year-old has come down with the flu, perhaps opening the door for Francesco Acerbi to make consecutive starts for the first time this season. Meanwhile, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is expected to return to the starting XI for the first time since October.

On the other hand, Salah is not the only notable absentee in the traveling squad. Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni are also out of contention due to injuries. With the 33-year-old megastar sidelined, Slot is likely to field a brand-new attacking trio, featuring Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike.

Inter vs Liverpool Potential Starting Lineups

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Acerbi, Bisseck, Bastoni; Augusto, Zielinski, Barella, Calhanoglu, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike; Isak.

Inter vs Liverpool Prediction

Despite Inter’s notorious struggles against top teams, Chivu’s men seem destined to plunge Slot’s future into further uncertainty. With the Nerazzurri firing on all cylinders and performing outstandingly in European home matches, it’s virtually impossible to expect anything other than Liverpool’s defeat.