Inter Milan will welcome six-time European champions Liverpool to the San Siro for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
Liverpool, who are chasing a second Champions League trophy in four seasons, have been in red-hot form in the competition. They won all six of their group matches, scoring at least twice in each game. They are also on a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Inter, meanwhile, have returned to the knockout stages of Europe’s elite club competition after a 10-year hiatus. The Serie A champions got off to a poor start but posted three straight wins between matchdays three and five to secure safe passage into the last-16.
Inter and Liverpool have not met since 2008, when Fernando Torres’ strike sealed a 1-0 win for the Reds and knocked the Italian side out of the competition.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan will be without midfield dynamo Nicolo Barela, who is suspended following his red card in their final group game.
They also have a few injury problems to contend with. Robin Gosens and Joaquin Correa have both been ruled out, while Alessandro Bastoni is a slight doubt.
Aleksandar Kolarov has been removed from their Champions League squad, as has Stefano Sensi following his loan to Sampdoria.
Liverpool
James Milner is available once again after serving a suspension, while Diogo Jota is likely to replace Roberto Firmino in the starting lineup after being benched against Burnley due to a minor knock.
Jordan Henderson suffered a cut on his knee against Burnley, but he is expected to be fit in time for this game. January signing Luis Diaz is eligible to play, but he is unlikely to start in place of Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah.
Inter Milan predicted lineup (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Arturo Vidal, Marcelo Brozovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ivan Perisic; Edin Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez.
Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Jordan Henderson; Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane.
Inter Milan – Lautaro Martinez
Martinez is Inter’s top scorer this season with 11 goals. But the Argentine has failed to find the net in his last six games in all competition for the club. He will need to snap that streak if Inter are to have any chance of progressing.
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian has been in sensational form for Liverpool this season, scoring 23 goals in 28 appearances in all competitions. He netted seven times in six group games for the Reds and will hope to continue his golden touch in front of goal over the knockout stages. Salah faced Inter five times during his spell in Italy with Roma and Fiorentina, winning on three occasions.
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