Final score

19 February 2008 20:45

Liverpool
45' (2nd half) Gerrard
40' (2nd half) Kuyt
Inter
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere / Linesmen: Hernans, Verstraeten / Fourth official: Allaerts
Minute Text commentary
46' Half time. Liverpool 0-0 Inter.
45' 1 minute of added time.
45' Gerrard plays a swift one-two to split open the Nerazzurri defence, and crosses low for Kuyt. Maicon intercepts and brings out of defence.
44' Julio Cesar blocks a shot from Kuyt.
42' Gerrard's cross-shot from the left is caught by Julio Cesar.
40' Babel sidesteps Maicon, creating space for a shot from 20 yards. The Dutch youngster's effort is over.
32' Cambiasso sweeps clear after a dangerous Liverpool move involving Torres and Babel.
30' Drama at Anfield. Materazzi is booked for protesting after a foul on Torres. It's his second booking, so yellow becomes red and we're down to ten men after less than 30 minutes.
27' Right-wing free kick to Liverpool after Cordoba's foul on Torres. Carragher's cross is headed clear by Cambiasso.
25' Lucas Leiva serves Gerrard with a short pass and the Reds captain hits his first-time shot way off target.
23' Mascherano takes on Stankovic and Zanetti during a mazy run down the left. The Inter captain gets back and wins the ball off his compatriot.
22' Materazzi slips at the far post before he can reach Stankovic's left-wing free kick.
18' Cordoba cuts out Torres' through pass for Gerrard.
14' Materazzi denies Gerrard with a well timed tackle on the Liverpool captain.
12' Marco Materazzi is booked for shoving Torres of the ball.
12' Hyypia beats Cruz to Ibrahimovic's flicked header.
10' Julio Cesar tips over Hyypia's header from Gerrard's corner.
9' Kuyt runs on to Gerrard's low ball into the box. The Dutcman's cross-shot is blocked by Cordoba. Corner for the home side.
8' Liverpool win a free kick on the right. They take it quickly, with Kuyt crossing low to Torres, who is intercepted by Cordoba.
6' Ibrahimovic controls a Maicon throw with his chest and plays into the path of Dejan Stankovic, but the Serbian is intercepted.
5' Fabio Aurelio's left-footed curling free kick is over Julio Cesar's crossbar.
4' Gerrard goes down under a challenge from Cristian Chivu, who is booked. Free kick in a dangerous position just outside our area.
3' Carragher's low shot from Gerrard's high corner is blocked by Cordoba.
3' The Reds win a free kick out on the right wing. Carragher's cross is headed clear by Stankovic. Liverpool remain in the Inter third and win a corner.
1' Inter's 2007/08 Champions League campaign continues here at Anfield with a round of 16 first leg clash against last season's beaten finalists Liverpool.
1' Seconds away, round one. Liverpool kick off.
1' You'll Never Walk Alone drowns out the Champions League anthem as the teams line up on the pitch.
1' Team news: <br> Inter (4-4-2): 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 26 Chivu; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic, 6 Maxwell; 8 Ibrahimovic, 9 Cruz.
1' Team news: <br> Inter (4-4-2): 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 26 Chivu, 5 Stankovic; 8 Ibrahimovic, 9 Cruz.
1' Team news: <br> Liverpool (4-4-2): 25 Reina; 3 Finnan, 23 Carragher, 4 Hyypia, 12 Fabio Aurelio; 8 Gerrard, 21 Lucas Leiva, 20 Mascherano, 19 Babel; 9 Torres, 18 Kuyt.
Minute Text commentary
94' Full time. Liverpool beat Inter 2-0 with late goals from Kuyt and Gerrard.
45' 4 minutes of added time.
45' Steven Gerrard collects a short pass from Pennant and crashes a precise low shot into the bottom left corner. LIVERPOOL 2-0 INTER.
42' Crouch's weak shot on the turn inside the area is easily saved by Julio Cesar.
40' Kuyt's shot from Pennant's cross takes a slight deflection off Maicon and ends up in the back of the net. LIVERPOOL 1-0 INTER.
37' Maicon smashes clear after Torres fails to create space for a shot inside the box.
33' Maxwell blocks a Crouch shot in the area. Still no way through for Liverpool.
32' Gerrard's low effort from distance takes a deflection. Corner for the Reds.
31' Ivan Ramiro is stretchered off. On comes Nicolas Burdisso.
28' Cordoba landed awkwardly after his headed half-clearance, and it looks as if the Colombian is unable to continue.
28' Crouch wastes a good chance for Liverpool, crashing wide from the edge of the area after pouncing on Cordoba's half-clearance.
28' Back in the other half, Kuyt's left-wing inswinger is headed clear by Cordoba.
27' Jamie Pennant replaces a tired Ryan Babel.
27' Vieira's low shot from 25 yards is wide of the left post.
25' Crouch heads over, committing a foul on Cordoba in the process.
25' Ibrahimovic plays in Cambiasso, who is tackled by Hyypia. The flag goes up for offside.
24' Reina palms clear Chivu's corner (Inter's first of the match).
19' Liverpool bring on Peter Crouch for Lucas Leiva.
19' Torres collects just outside the box, swivels and sends a crisp low shot just wide of the left post.
18' Sweeping crossfield move by the Reds. Cambiasso ends it and plays to safety.
14' Hyypia heads over Kuyt's cross as Liverpool pile on the pressure.
13' Fernando Torres goes through on goal with a quick burst of pace. The Spaniard shoots low on goal, forcing Julio Cesar into a wonderful tipped save.
10' Roberto Mancini makes a tactical switch. Off comes El Jardinero, and on comes Patrick Vieira.
10' Cruz wins a rebound in the Liverpool half and has a go from over 35 yards. The Argentine's ambitious shot is off target.
7' Hyypia shoots way off target from 25 yards.
5' Finnan plays a quick one-two down the right and sends in a fast cross, forcing Chivu to make a vital block.
3' Served by Ibrahimovic, Esteban Cambiasso fires over from the edge of the box.
1' Inter get the second half under way. FORZA RAGAZZI!
Zanetti
6.4
6.4
Cordoba
7.67
7.67
Materazzi
4.59
4.59
Cruz
4.76
4.76
Stankovic
4.51
4.51
Cambiasso
6.28
6.28
Burdisso
5.22
5.22
Julio Cesar
7.27
7.27
Maicon
5.71
5.71
Maxwell
5.55
5.55
Vieira
4.77
4.77
Ibrahimovic
4.57
4.57
Chivu
6.29
6.29
Average rating 5.66
16 shots on target 0
7 shots off target 3
18 fouls committed 18
10 corners 1
1 offsides 3
00 ball possession 00
Liverpool v Inter

The two teams meet in a competitive match for the third time after their European Cup semi-final in 1964/65. On that occasion the Nerazzurri won 3-0 in Milan to overturn a 3-1 defeat from the first leg. Inter went on to win the competition that season, beating Benfica 1-0 at San Siro.

Liverpool v Italian clubs

The Reds face an Italian club for 18th time after 5 wins, 4 draws and 8 defeats. Four of these matches have been European Cup/Champions League finals. Liverpool lifted the trophy after a penalties victory over Roma at the Olimpico in 1983/84, repeating the success in 2004/05 after an incredible comeback against AC Milan. They lost out to Juventus in 1984/85 and AC Milan in 2006/07. Liverpool have played one European Super Cup against Italian opposition, losing to Juventus in 1985. Liverpool have never drawn in 4 home meetings with sides from Italy. There have been 2 Reds wins and 2 defeats.

Inter v English teams

Including their two-legged European Cup semi-final against Liverpool in 1964/65, Inter have faced English teams in European cup competitions on 24 occasions, winning 9, drawing 5 and losing 10. The Nerazzurri have also faced English opposition 4 times in the Anglo-Italian Cup (1 Inter win, 2 draws and 1 defeat). On their travels to England, Inter have collected 3 wins, 3 draws and 8 defeats.

Benitez v Mancini

The two coaches meet in a competitive fixture for the first time.

Reds goalless in just one of last 10 Euro games

Liverpool have failed to score in just one of their last 10 European matches - their 1-0 home defeat to Olympique Marseille in the group stages. They have netted a total of 25 goals in the other 9 games.

Inter one win away from new club record

The Nerazzurri have won five consecutive Champions League encounters since their 1-0 defeat at Fenerbahçe last 19 September. If they win again at Anfield, Inter will set a new absolute club record of consecutive victories in Europe. Inter have missed out on a sixth consecutive win on three previous occasions: after a 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund in 1963/64, after a 1-0 loss to Rangers in 1964/65 and after a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in 1998/99.

Massimo Moratti's first game as president 13 years ago

Massimo Moratti's first match as president of Inter was exactly 13 years ago. On 19 February 1995 Moratti's new team beat Brescia 1-0 in the league, thanks to a goal from Nicola Berti.

Inter unbeaten in 29 competitive games...

The Nerazzurri have won 24 games and drawn 5 since their last defeat, a 1-0 reverse at Fenerbahçe in the Champions League group stages last 19 September.

...and in 14 away matches

Since their last away defeat against Fenerbahçe on 19 September 2007, the Nerazzurri have played 14 away matches, winning 10 and drawing 4.

The ref: De Bleeckere

Belgian official Frank De Bleeckere was born in Oudenaarde on 1 July 1966. He has been an international referee since 1998. Liverpool v Inter is his fifth Champions League match of the 2007/08 season after Arsenal 3-0 Sparta Prague (qualifying round), Lazio 2-2 Real Madrid, Sporting Lisbon 2-2 Roma and Valencia 0-4 Schalke 04 (group stages). He has refereed the Nerazzurri on three previous occasions (Inter 3-0 Rosenborg, 2002/03 Champions League; Inter 1-0 Sporting Lisbon, 2006/07 Champions League; Inter 1-1 Lokomotiv Moscow, 2003/04 Champions League).

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(1) draws(0) defeats(2)

LIVERPOOL - Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard scored late goals to give Liverpool the edge over Inter in their Champions League round of 16 tie.

The Dutch striker scored in the 85th minute, with Reds captain Gerrard adding his team's second on the stroke of full time to leave the Nerazzurri stunned.

Inter played sixty minutes with ten men after Marco Materazzi was sent off for a second yellow card.

Roberto Mancini made numerous changes for the Anfield trip, with Cruz and Ibrahimovic, who both rested against Livorno, starting in attack.

Inter barely got a look-in during the first half as Liverpool dominated, pressing the Nerazzurri and creating openings when coming forward.

The Reds' first chance came in the ninth minute when Julio Cesar tipped over Hyypia's header.

Ivan Cordoba kept it tight at the back with a series of well-timed interceptions before Gerrard dragged wide a shot from an inviting position.

Inter were reduced to ten men on the half hour when Materazzi was dismissed for a second booking.

Babel hit a 20-yard shot over the bar, with Gerrard and Kuyt having shots saved as last season's beaten finalists continued to have the run of play before half time.

Liverpool started the second period as they ended the first, with Torres forcing Julio Cesar into a tipped save and Hyypia heading just over.

Mancini made a tactical switch on 55 minutes, bringing on Vieira for Cruz, but the Reds continued to make the man advantage count and Torres went close again, hitting narrowly wide a crisp low shot from 20 yards.

Inter suffered a further set-back with fifteen minutes remaining when Cordoba was stretchered off after landing awkwardly in the area.

With time running out Benitez' side took the lead, Kuyt's shot from Pennant's cross taking a slight deflection off Maicon and ending up in the back of the net.

Gerrard added insult to injury in the final minute, firing a low deflected shot beyond Julio Cesar and into the far corner to end Inter's long unbeaten run of 29 games.

Liverpool 2-0 Inter (HT: 0-0)

Scorers: Kuyt 85, Gerrard 90.

Liverpool (4-4-2): 25 Reina; 3 Finnan, 23 Carragher, 4 Hyypia, 12 Fabio Aurelio; 8 Gerrard, 21 Lucas Leiva (15 Crouch 64), 20 Mascherano, 19 Babel (16 Pennant 72); 9 Torres, 18 Kuyt.
Subs not used: 30 Itandje, 6 Riise, 11 Benayoun, 14 Xabi Alonso, 17 Alvaro Arbeloa.
Coach: Rafa Benitez.

Inter (4-4-2): 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba (16 Burdisso 76), 23 Materazzi, 26 Chivu; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic, 6 Maxwell; 8 Ibrahimovic, 9 Cruz (14 Vieira 55).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 7 Figo, 18 Crespo, 28 Maniche, 29 Suazo.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Referee: De Bleeckere (Belgium).

Booked: Chivu 4, Materazzi 12.
Sent off: Materazzi 30.

starting lineups

Reina 12 Julio Cesar
Finnan 13 Maicon
Carragher 2 Cordoba
Hyypia 23 Materazzi
Fabio Aurelio 6 Maxwell
Lucas Leiva 4 Zanetti
Gerrard 19 Cambiasso
Mascherano 26 Chivu
Babel 5 Stankovic
Kuyt 8 Ibrahimovic
Fernando Torres 9 Cruz

substitutes

Itandje 1 Toldo
Arbeloa 16 Burdisso
Riise 7 Figo
Benayoun 14 Vieira
Pennant 28 Maniche
Xabi Alonso 18 Crespo
Crouch 29 Suazo