Martínez cracker gives Inter hope but Liverpool advance after Sánchez red

For Internazionale, it had the feel of an impossible job. In 34 previous European ties in which Liverpool had won the first-leg away from home, the Premier League team had never failed to progress. Liverpool had brought all-conquering form into the tie as they sought to confirm their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. Inter had been patchy.

Yet the Italian champions had a blueprint to manoeuvre the ball efficiently and, when Lautaro Martínez aimed a firecracker into the top corner just after the hour – it had Alisson beaten from the moment of discharge – they had the scent of something more.

Liverpool had hit the post twice – through Joel Matip and Mohamed Salah – and they faced a test of their nerve. To great delight and no little relief, they passed it.

Their task was made easier when Alexis Sánchez was sent off almost immediately after the goal for a second bookable offence. Salah would rattle the upright again but, if the ball would not go in for him or his team, at least Inter could not find the equaliser.

Simone Inzaghi had to find a way for Inter to trouble Alisson in the Liverpool goal much more than his team had managed to do three weeks previously. Alexis Sánchez in, Edin Dzeko out was his big move for the starting XI.

The visitors had an easy confidence on the ball, able to find their men in their well-drilled 3-5-2 system and they wondered whether they could spring either Sánchez or Martínez in behind a Liverpool backline that was positioned typically high.

Klopp could be grateful to the pace of Andy Robertson and a couple of important defensive interventions from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the opening quarter.

Liverpool wanted to win the ball high up and they brought the pressure from the first