I believe this will be a lot tighter than people expect. Obviously, we know Italian teams are well organised defensively. Coach Simone Inzaghi will have them knowing their roles very well. I expect them to defend deeper, especially in the second leg at Anfield. I expect them to play with five at the back in a 5-3-2.
Liverpool are so good at switching the play and Inter will try to limit that. Liverpool often find overloads with Sadio Mane and Andy Robertson on the left or Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right. I’m sure the way Inter set up will be to close the space on the wings.
As for Inter’s two strikers, Edin Dzeko is playing as good as he’s ever played. He has taken on a similar role to the one Romelu Lukaku had for the club in the previous two years. He’s not the same personality but he just seems like a guy that teams can attach themselves to. Lautaro Martinez is also quietly becoming one of the best strikers in Europe.
Inter can be effective on the counter, on set pieces. Liverpool will have a lot of the ball, try to probe and break them down. If they lose bad balls it could be dangerous.
Now everyone is fit and available, Jurgen Klopp will probably have to choose between
Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota for the last place in Liverpool’s attack. For me, I’d go with Firmino.
As RB Salzburg coach, I faced Liverpool three years ago and Firmino was the key. It’s because of his flexibility. They play 4-3-3, but with the ball it’s more of a diamond when Firmino is there because he drops deep. He tends to run the most out of anybody in the game. He’s clever with combinations, he sees things, but still has the ability to get in the box and be dangerous.
Salah and Mane are so entertaining, so explosive, but it’s often Firmino’s movement and connection with the team that allows them to have more room. The tactics are clever too. Firmino comes away from the centre backs and that allows Mane and Salah to run in behind. It will present problems for the Inter backline.
He is still very important for them. Keeping him fit, healthy and in form has always been the challenge for Liverpool, but when he is in form I find him to be the difference-maker. I think he is underrated in England. I certainly did myself before we played them.
Inter have home advantage in the first leg. They will play compact and won’t want it to be wide open. I remember Liverpool playing Napoli three years ago and Napoli kept it compact during their 2-0 win. It wasn’t easy for Liverpool to create chances. Liverpool haven’t always been great away from home in the Champions League. Inter will think if they can take a 1-0 lead back to Anfield, that will put them in good shape.
10 years of FIF
