Philippe Coutinho’s arrival at Liverpool
Re-live the story of how Philippe Coutinho joined Liverpool from Inter back in January 2013. The Brazilian went on to score 54 goals in over 200 appearances for the Reds.
Inter vs Liverpool: Line-ups
Inter
Liverpool
Liverpool Remain Favourites
#1
For the first time in a decade, Inter Milan will be competing in the knockout rounds of the Champions League, and while hopes are high of progressing to the latter stages of the competition, they will have a difficult task in overcoming one of the tournament favourites Liverpool over two legs. As mentioned earlier, Simone Inzaghi’s side finished second in Group D with 10 points from their six matches, five points behind group winners Real Madrid.
#2
The Nerazzurri won home and away against tournament debutants Sheriff Tiraspol and secured four points from their two encounters with Shakhtar Donetsk, but they were unable to claim any points or score against Los Blancos. Inter head into Wednesday’s contest after failing to win their last two Serie A matches, losing 2-1 to city rivals AC Milan and drawing 1-1 with Napoli last weekend. These results have seen Inzaghi’s men knocked off their perch at the summit by Milan, but they do have a game in hand.
#3
The Nerazzurri will be keen to bounce back with a positive result in midweek, though grinding out results against English clubs in Europe has proven challenging over the years. Since the 2003-04 campaign, Inter have been eliminated from two of their previous three two-legged knockout ties against English opposition; all three of these have been in the last 16, suffering defeat against Liverpool in 2007-08 and Manchester United in 2008-09, before losing out to Chelsea in 2009-10.
#4
Liverpool’s midweek clash will be their fifth against Inter in European competition; the Reds suffered a 4-3 aggregate defeat in the semi-finals of the 1964-65 European Cup – the same season Inter went on to win the trophy – before getting their revenge 43 years later in the last 16 of the 2007-08 Champions League, winning 3-0 on aggregate thanks to strikes from Dirk Kuyt, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
#5
Liverpool were initially set to face Red Bull Salzburg in the last 16, before a UEFA fiasco in December’s draw proceedings forced a re-draw to take place, with the Reds now facing Inter Milan. A two-legged contest with the Nerazzurri will be viewed by Reds supporters as a more challenging affair as opposed to facing Salzburg, but nevertheless, Klopp and co will still be strong favourites to come out on top.
DPP Verdict
While Liverpool will be the favourites to win on Wednesday, Inter will also fancy their chances of securing a first-leg advantage in front of their home supporters. The Reds have conceded in each of their last four Champions League away matches, but they should have enough quality in the final third to outscore their opponents and return to Anfield with a slender lead.
