Inter Milan vs Liverpool – Inter Milan will meet six-time European champions, Liverpool, in the opening leg of their last-16 encounter at San Siro on Wednesday night, in a highly-anticipated Champions League match.
The Reds were one of three clubs in this year’s edition to finish the group stage with an undefeated record, while the Nerazzurri came in second place behind Real Madrid.
Inter Milan will compete in the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time in a decade, and while they have great aspirations of moving further in the competition, they will have a daunting assignment in defeating one of the tournament favorites, Liverpool, over two legs.
Simone Inzaghi’s side finished second in Group D with 10 points from six games, five points behind group winners Real Madrid. The Nerazzurri won both home and away against tournament newcomers Sheriff Tiraspol, as well as four points from two matches against Shakhtar Donetsk, but they were unable to score or collect any points against Los Blancos.
With a modest 1-0 victory away at Burnley in the Premier League last weekend, Liverpool extended their winning streak to six games in all competitions.
Jurgen Klopp’s side moved back to within nine points of league leaders Manchester City thanks to Fabinho’s close-range strike on the stroke of halftime. The Reds also have a game in hand.
Inter Milan vs Liverpool – Team News:
Inter Milan will be without Joaquin Correa and Robin Gosens due to thigh ailments, while Nicolo Barella is suspended after being sent off against Real Madrid in their last group game.
Furthermore, Aleksandar Kolarov is ineligible to participate after being dropped from the club’s Champions League squad, allowing January arrivals Gosens and Felipe Caicedo to play. Stefano Sensi, who joined Sampdoria on loan last month, is the other player who has been removed.
Alessandro Bastoni is presently serving a domestic suspension, but the Italian is allowed to play in midweek and is set to start with Stefan De Vrij and Milan Skriniar on the left side of a back three, replacing Federico Dimarco.
After last weekend’s success at Turf Moor, Klopp may make one or two changes to his starting eleven, with the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, and James Milner all vying for a spot alongside Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in center-midfield.
Despite starting on the bench against Burnley due to a dead leg suffered in the build-up, Diogo Jota should be in contention to start.
With January addition Luis Diaz set to start on the bench, the Portugal international may replace Roberto Firmino in the starting XI, joining Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in a fearsome front three.
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Vidal, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Martinez, Dzeko
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Mane
Inter Milan vs Liverpool – Head-to-Head:
Our Prediction: Under 4 Goals
Recommended Predictions:
