Inter hosts Premier League bigwigs Liverpool in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 match Wednesday, February 16.
The last time these two teams faced off was in March 2008 in the round of 16 of the Champions League. Liverpool took the bragging rights in the high-tempered match, going through to the quarterfinals on a 3-0 aggregate score.
In the first leg, Liverpool won 2-0 at home, courtesy of late strikes by Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard. Former Italy defender Marco Materazzi, then turning out for Inter, was red-carded in the 30th minute.
The second leg also witnessed drama as Inter lost 1-0 at home. Fernando Torres scored the match’s only goal to make it 3-0 in aggregate, but it’s former Argentine defender Nicolás Burdisso who made headlines with a second-half red card.
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Ahead of the match, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has noted that Sadio Mane and Mo Salah’s zero tolerance to alcohol has worked well for their speedy return to action. The duo featured prominently for their countries at the just-ended Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“Both boys (Mane and Salah) don’t drink alcohol at all. It’s always a problem when players celebrate a big thing (like AFCON), which extends their recovery time,” Klopp said.
He also implored his boys to finish the job early away from home so that they do not have to depend on home advantage when they return to Anfield.
Inter will have to make do without the services of Joaquin Correa and Robin Gosens who have not recovered from injury. Midfielder Nicolo Barella will miss out due to suspension.
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Liverpool on the other hand have been boosted by the return of Captain Jordan Henderson and forward Divock Origi.
The match kicks off tonight at 11pm.
More matches have been lined up next week, in the meantime, among them one between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United.
Both clubs have not had their best of seasons, but always have a way of turning up in big matches. Chelsea will also host Lille while Villareal will be at home to Juventus.
Probable Line-ups
Inter (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Vidal, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Dzeko, Martinez
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Keita; Salah, Jota, Mane
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