Despite losing 1-0 on the night to the Italian champions, thanks to a Lautaro Martnez thunderbolt, Liverpool advanced to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after defeating a spirited Inter Milan team over two legs.

At first glance, manager Simone Inzaghi's decision to pair Martnez up front with Alexis Sánchez appeared to be a surprise. Still, the Chilean quickly proved to be a tactical masterstroke, hustling and harrying Liverpool's centre-backs and depriving them of any time on the ball in the first 25 minutes.

A medical emergency in the Kop end caused a short delay of 26 minutes, but Liverpool was quickly in control once play resumed. Virgil van Dijk was thwarted by some brilliant last-ditch defending from Milan Kriniar after Jol Matip's header cannoned off the crossbar via an Andy Robertson cross. Mo Salah has eight goals in seven Champions League appearances for Liverpool this season, and he came close to adding a ninth when he found himself eight yards out with the goal gaping on 51 minutes but instead hit the post.

Martinez's 16th goal came nine minutes later, with Liverpool stumbling. Martinez unleashed a fearsome strike from 20 yards out that whistled into the top corner. On the other hand, Inter Milan suffered a significant setback when Sánchez's follow-through caught Fabinho, and the former Manchester United man was sent off for a second yellow card.

Despite Martinez's wonder goal, Liverpool could not break through even with Inter down to ten men. While Jürgen Klopp will be pleased to have advanced to the quarter-final stage, disappointment will linger as Liverpool failed to become the first English team to win their first eight UCL games.