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This was a night for three points. Liverpool‘s staggering decline this season cannot be understated, and following a succession of disappointing draws against Sunderland and Leeds United, a one-goal win over Inter Milan at the San Siro could bear dividends going forward.
It was a strange contest on the VAR front, with Ibrahim Konate‘s first-half header ruled out before Florian Wirtz won a match-winning penalty late on, adjudged to have been pulled to the ground by Alessandro Bastoni. Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up and converted.
Liverpool have returned to the top eight of the Champions League. Liverpool’s defensive line has been so porous this season, leakier than Old Trafford roofing, but Arne Slot has employed a more compact and pragmatic system in recent fixtures. Back to basics.
However, the Reds’ highly talented forward players are still, as a unit, flattering to deceive, and improvements are needed there.
How Liverpool’s forwards played at San Siro
Post-match, Slot detailed Liverpool’s emphasis on shutting up shop in recent weeks. Mixed results on that front, but there has been a concerted plan all the same, and it came to fruition against Serie A champions Inter Milan.
Szoboszlai’s penalty aside, Liverpool amassed 0.56 xG in the second half, as opposed to just 0.12 before the break. Slot’s tactical tweaks were on the money in Italy, but the Premier League champions are still struggling to get a tune out of record signings Alexander Isakwho huffed and puffed but was unable to achieve anything of note in the final third before being withdrawn after the hour mark.
Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the probability of a shot resulting in a goal.
This is a world-class striker, but he needs better creative connections. Curious, then, that he was replaced by Wirtz, who nestled into the ten spot and changed the game, finding pockets of space and placing the Nerazzurri defenders under pressure, creating a chance, winning both of his duels and enjoying neat interplay with Ekitike and Szoboszlai in particular.
Anfield plays host to a crucial Premier League tie against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend, and it’s crucial that the German playmaker starts at the expense of a star who still hasn’t clicked together this season.
Slot must drop 6/10 Liverpool star
So many Liverpool stars have flattered to deceive this season, and Alexis McAllister has been one of the most disappointing. The 26-year-old has played at such a high level since joining the Merseysiders from Brighton in 2023, but he lacks bite and energy and eloquence in the engine room.
Deployed in a more advanced role against Inter, ostensibly to ease his defensive struggles and build-up problems this season, the £150k-per-week talent did actually prove dependable in stifling the hosts’ threat, but he lacked the completeness that fans have come to expect, unable to effectively serve the forwards.
The Liverpool Echo acknowledged Mac Allister’s defensive contribution, handing him a 6/10 match ratingbut they also drew attention to the Argentine’s attacking effort, leaving something to be desired on that front.
Alexis McAllister vs Inter Milan | |
|---|---|
Match Stats | # |
Minutes played | 90′ |
Goals | 0 |
Assists | 0 |
Touches | 46 |
Shots (on target) | 0 (0) |
Accurate passes | 32/37 (86%) |
Chances created | 0 |
Crosses | 0/0 |
Recoveries | 2 |
Tackles won | 1/1 |
Duels won | 6/8 |
Date via Sofascore | |
There has been a suffocating air of frustration around the South American’s performances this term, and most of that is because Liverpool fans know how good he can be.
But he’s offering little right now, and although he completed his defensive duties with diligence, there was a lack of dynamism and sparkle that will hinder the Anfield side going forward. He didn’t attempt a dribble and neither did he create a chance. Wirtz must play at the weekend.
Ultimately, Liverpool still have many, many creases to iron out, but this was a step in the right direction. However, Liverpool’s emphasis on compactness cannot come at the expense of pre-existing creative problems, and Wirtz must start at the weekend; that much is clear.
