Last - minute penalty secures Liverpool win: Inter beaten 1 - 0 at San Siro

A bitter pill to swallow. The scoreboard at San Siro read 0-1 after 103 gruelling minutes, causing heartbreak for the 75,000 fans as Liverpool claimed a late victory following a controversial VAR-awarded penalty. A slight hold by Bastoni on Wirtz led to the on-field review, with Szoboszlai converting the decisive spot-kick in the 88th minute. It was a balanced, intense game, and while not full of spectacles, it was packed with duels, bursts of pace, and tactical battles. Inter lost two key players early on: Calhanoglu to a right adductor strain after 10 minutes, and Acerbi to a right hamstring issue on the half-hour mark.

Inter started cautiously but gradually grew into the game after the half-hour mark, the point at which Konaté's goal was correctly disallowed for handball. They held possession, had bursts of intensity and created clear chances, but perhaps lacked precision in front of goal – though Alisson produced an excellent save to deny Lautaro. To rub salt into the wound, there was also another moment of considerable frustration, when Van Dijk appeared to handball it in the area. Ultimately, as against Atlético, Inter produced a strong performance but were punished late. The Nerazzurri remain on 12 points, and will now look to secure a top-8 position after their matches against Arsenal at San Siro on 20 January and Borussia Dortmund in Dortmund on 28 January.

MATCH REPORT: Liverpool lined up without Salah and Gakpo, while Inter named a familiar starting XI, with Luis Henrique confirmed on the right. The match was difficult to get a hold of early on: Liverpool played with intensity, and Inter were left slightly scrambling. In the 10th minute, on the day of his 200th appearance for Inter, Calhanoglu was forced off injured and replaced by Zielinski. It was a challenging opening half-hour for Chivu’s side, who dropped deep and relied on Sommer’s saves to deny Jones and Gravenberch. Inter struggled to make their pressure count. At the half-hour mark, Konaté’s goal from a corner was ruled out after a lengthy VAR review for a clear handball by Ekitike. Inter then lost Acerbi to injury, with Bisseck coming on and immediately making an impact, forcing a corner with a left-footed effort that appeared to be deflected by Van Dijk’s hand, though play continued. Inter grew into the game, creating chances like a Barella free kick and a flowing move involving Zielinski and Lautaro. In added time, Lautaro rose to meet Bastoni’s cross, but Alisson produced a superb save to keep the scores level.

Inter started the second half believing they could up the ante while remaining defensively alert. Some counter-attacks broke down, and Inter had to dig deep at the back, with Bastoni producing a crucial clearance in the 58th minute. Inter looked the more dangerous side when attacking, as Liverpool were often inaccurate. Liverpool shifted the balance slightly with the introduction of Bradley on the right, but the match remained evenly poised until a minimal hold by Bastoni on Wirtz led to a VAR review and a penalty. Sommer went the right way, but Szoboszlai converted. Inter pushed forward relentlessly in the closing stages, but effort and energy were not enough to overturn a deeply unlucky defeat.

INTER 0-1 LIVERPOOL | SCORESHEET

Goalscorer: 88' Szoboszlai (L) pen.

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 25 Akanji, 15 Acerbi (31 Bisseck 31'), 95 Bastoni; 11 Luis Henrique, 23 Barella, 20 Calhanoglu (7 Zielinski 11'), 22 Mkhitaryan (8 Sucic 82'), 32 Dimarco (30 Carlos Augusto 82'); 9 Thuram (14 Bonny 82'), 10 Lautaro. Substitutes: 13 J. Martinez, 60 Taho, 6 De Vrij, 16 Frattesi, 17 Diouf, 43 Cocchi, 94 Esposito. Coach: Cristian Chivu

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): 1 Alisson; 2 Gomez (12 Bradley 68'), 5 Konaté, 4 Van Dijk, 26 Robertson; 8 Szoboszlai, 38 Gravenberch, 10 Mac Allister; 17 Jones, 9 Isak (7 Wirtz 68'), 22 Ekitike. Substitutes: 25 Mamardashvili, 28 Woodman, 6 Kerkez, 42 Nyoni, 73 Ngumoha, 92 Lucky. Coach: Arne Slot

Booked: Lautaro (I), Ekitike (L), Mkhitaryan (I), Jones (L) Added time: 7' - 6'.

Referee: Felix Zwayer Assistants: Robert Kempter; Christian Dietz Fourth Official: Martin Petersen VAR: Sören Storks Assistant VAR: Christian Dingert