Player Ratings: Dominik Szoboszlai shines as Liverpool beat Inter Milan | OneFootball

Player Ratings: Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool’s trip to the San Siro ended with a mix of grit, controversy and relief as Arne Slot’s side overcame Inter Milan 1-0 to strengthen their push for a top eight Champions League finish. For a team looking to rediscover fluency on the continental stage, this was an evening defined by resilience rather than rhythm, and one ultimately decided from twelve yards. Dominik Szoboszlai kept his nerve with two minutes left, striking home the decisive penalty after a fraught night of VAR interventions.

The win moves Liverpool back into eighth with Marseille away and Qarabag at Anfield still to come, giving Slot’s men a genuine opportunity to bypass the knockout playoffs. Against an Inter side that probed without ever overwhelming, Liverpool showed clearer defensive structure and more maturity in possession, even if attacking play remained inconsistent.

VAR drama shapes the contest

The match’s turning point came long before the penalty. Ibrahima Konate thought he had scored midway through the first half, rising to head home Szoboszlai’s corner, only for a lengthy five minute VAR pause to end with Felix Zwayer ruling out the goal. Virgil van Dijk had headed the ball against Hugo Ekitike’s arm from close range, a situation that Liverpool players felt was unavoidable. Zwayer disagreed, chalking it off in a decision that frustrated the travelling support.

Inter Milan threatened sporadically, particularly through Lautaro Martinez, but Alisson’s late stop in first half stoppage time kept the score level. When Florian Wirtz was tugged by Alessandro Bastoni in the closing stages, Zwayer pointed to the spot and Szoboszlai seized the moment. 

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool performances under the spotlight

Slot’s side blended control with occasional lapses, but several individuals produced impressive contributions that underpinned the win. Ryan Gravenberch’s intelligence both in and out of possession stood out, as did the stability offered by Konate and Van Dijk at the heart of defence. Others struggled for rhythm, but the collective held firm when the match turned cagey.

Player ratings from Inter Milan vs Liverpool

Liverpool player ratingsAlisson, 7Joe Gomez, 6Ibrahima Konate, 7Virgil van Dijk, 7Andy Robertson, 6Ryan Gravenberch, 8Curtis Jones, 7Alexis Mac Allister, 5Dominik Szoboszlai, 8Alexander Isak, 5Hugo Ekitike, 6

SubstitutesConor Bradley, 7Florian Wirtz, 6

ManagerArne Slot, 7

Liverpool leave Milan with a vital win, a clean sheet and the sense that their Champions League campaign still holds real promise. The final group fixtures will determine their fate, but this night in Italy provided the organisation and courage Slot has been urging from his players.