Liverpool Overcome Inter While Salah Controversy Looms

Liverpool claimed a composed 1–0 Champions League victory over Inter Milan at the San Siro, delivering a timely on-field response for head coach Arne Slot following a turbulent week dominated by Mohamed Salah’s outspoken media comments.

The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute when Dominik Szoboszlai calmly converted a penalty after VAR identified a shirt pull by Alessandro Bastoni on Florian Wirtz. With Salah absent from the squad, the Hungarian midfielder stepped up confidently to seal the win.

Salah was omitted following a high-profile interview in which he claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club, a statement that intensified speculation surrounding his relationship with Liverpool.

Earlier in the match, Ibrahima Konaté believed he had opened the scoring with a header shortly after the half-hour mark, but the goal was disallowed following a prolonged VAR review that ruled handball, leaving Liverpool frustrated despite later benefiting from the penalty decision.

Defensively, Liverpool delivered one of their most disciplined performances of the season, with Slot’s diamond formation effectively stifling Inter’s attacking threat and demonstrating clear tactical progress in comparison to recent outings.

The victory lifted Liverpool to eighth place in the Champions League league-phase standings on 12 points, level with Inter, who slipped to fifth. Crucially, the result secured automatic qualification for the quarter-finals, allowing the Reds to avoid a potentially demanding playoff round.

Captain Andy Robertson highlighted the squad’s unity in the aftermath, stressing that Salah’s absence had no impact on the team’s collective ambition, stating that “we’re all together in the changing room.”

Liverpool also became the first team in three years to defeat Inter at the San Siro in European competition, underlining the significance of their defensive resilience on the night.

With remaining fixtures against Marseille and Qarabag, Liverpool are now well positioned to consolidate a top-eight finish, while discussions surrounding Salah’s future continue away from the public spotlight at Anfield.