Liverpool have one foot in the quarterfinals of the Champions League following their 2-0 win over Inter Milan in the first leg and they will look to land the knockout blow when they face the Italian champions at Anfield later in the day.
Goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah helped Jurgen Klopp’s side stamp their authority over Inter at the San Siro in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
The Reds have won 12 straight games in all competitions and seven consecutive Champions League encounters. Moreover, they have won their last three meetings against Inter without conceding a goal.
Only one team in the history of the Champions League have ever overturned a two-goal deficit away from home (Manchester United), which represents the magnitude of the task at hand for Inter.
Liverpool vs Inter Milan – Team News
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Thiago, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino have returned to team training. While Thiago and Matip should be available for this game, Firmino might be given a few more days to get back to speed.
Diogo Jota could return up front for Liverpool after being benched against West Ham United. Naby Keita will likely partner Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in midfield.
Inter Milan
Inter will continue to be without talisman Nicolo Barella, who will serve the second of his two-match suspension.
Ivan Perisic missed the game against Salernitana, but is expected to return for the trip to Anfield, replacing Matteo Darmian on the left.
Liverpool vs Inter Milan – Predicted lineups
Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Keita; Salah, Jota, Mané
Inter Milan predicted lineup (3-5-2): Handanovič; Škriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Vidal, Brozović, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Perišić; Džeko, Martínez
Liverpool vs Inter Milan – Key Players
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
Liverpool’s talisman has netted 27 times in 33 appearances in all competitions this season, including the second goal that sealed the win against Inter in the reverse fixture. Liverpool have only ever lost one game in the Champions League in which Salah has scored.
Inter Milan – Lautaro Martinez
The Argentine is in red-hot form, having netted a hat-trick in the 5-0 win against Salernitana. Martinez has only scored six Champions League goals in his career, but five of them have come away from home.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Inter Milan