Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool: Szoboszlai’s Late Penalty Secures Vital Champions League Win Amid VAR Drama
Liverpool edged a VAR-dominated UEFA Champions League clash 1-0 against Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, climbing into the top eight of the league phase with an 88th-minute penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai.
Ibrahima Konate’s first-half header was chalked off after a five-minute review for Hugo Ekitike’s handball, silencing early celebrations. The game lacked fluency thereafter, with Lautaro Martinez and Conor Bradley going closest.
Liverpool benefited from technology’s reversal when substitute Florian Wirtz tumbled in the box under Alessandro Bastoni’s shirt pull, prompting referee Felix Zwayer to award the spot-kick. Szoboszlai blasted home, sparking joy among the traveling Reds.
The victory provides relief for Arne Slot amid his public spat with Mohamed Salah, absent after claiming he was “thrown under the bus.” Slot started Ekitike and Alexander Isak up top, marking their second pairing this season.
Post-match, Slot deflected Salah questions: “Everyone makes mistakes in life… Does the player think he’s made a mistake? The focus should be on the players tonight.” Captain Virgil van Dijk added: “There’s noise, but it’s down to us to perform. Between Mo and the club, things are going on—there’s urgency.”
Andy Robertson echoed: “I love playing with Mo and hope to continue.” Sky Sports pundit Tim Sherwood slammed Salah as “bang out of order,” insisting Slot isn’t his “babysitter.”
Liverpool level Inter on points, bolstering knockout hopes. Next up: Premier League action on Friday, with Salah’s Africa Cup of Nations trip looming.
