VAR Drama and Late Penalty Give Liverpool a Vital 1-0 Win Over Inter Milan Amid Salah Fallout”

Liverpool Edge Inter Milan in Controversial Champions League Clash

Liverpool secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Inter Milan at the iconic San Siro on Tuesday, in a night overshadowed by VAR controversies and the absence of Mohamed Salah. Dominik Szoboszlai’s 88th-minute penalty proved decisive, giving Arne Slot’s side a much-needed boost in their Champions League campaign.

The match started with promise for Liverpool as Ibrahima Konate appeared to open the scoring from a close-range header. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was controversially ruled out for handball, with the ball having struck Hugo Ekitike’s arm before Konate reacted. Despite the setback, Liverpool maintained composure and pressed for a breakthrough against last season’s finalists.

The deadlock was finally broken late in the game. Substitute Florian Wirtz went down under a shirt pull from Alessandro Bastoni, a decision initially waved away by referee Felix Zwayer. Following another VAR review, Zwayer awarded the penalty, allowing Szoboszlai to calmly convert from the spot. The goal lifted Liverpool to eighth in the Champions League group stage, level on points with Inter Milan, who sit fifth.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted the win was timely, given the ongoing fallout with Salah. The Egyptian forward, left out of the travelling squad after making public comments about his relationship with Slot, has been at the centre of speculation over his future. Slot hinted that reconciliation depends on whether Salah recognises any mistakes in his public statements, while emphasizing the team’s focus on collective performance.

Team leaders Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson were quick to shift attention back to the squad’s efforts on the pitch. Van Dijk stressed that external distractions do not alter their commitment, while Robertson expressed his desire to continue playing alongside Salah, underlining the unity within the dressing room despite off-field tensions.