Liverpool moved closer to the Champions League quarter-finals after scoring two late goals against Inter Milan in the San Siro.
The Reds appeared to be heading for a goalless draw in the first leg in Italy until Roberto Firmino got on the end of Andrew Robertson’s corner to put his side ahead.
With a deflected strike from inside the box, Mohamed Salah added a second, giving Jurgen Klopp’s team a commanding lead heading into the second leg on March 8 at Anfield.
Inter hit the crossbar through Hakan Alhanoglu and dominated the second half for long minutes before Firmino scored in the 75th minute.
When the two sides meet in the last leg next month, Liverpool will be heavy favourites to progress after scoring from their only two attempts on target.
At the age of 18 years and 318 days, midfielder Harvey Elliott made history by being the youngest player ever to start a match in the competition for Liverpool.
An injury to Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who was replaced by goalscorer Firmino at the start of the second half after sustaining an ankle injury, was the only setback on an otherwise positive night for the Reds.
Reds make an impression in Italy
Liverpool have now won seven games in a row in all competitions, with this one being the most remarkable of them all.
After a good start by the Premier League club, Klopp’s side had to dig deep as Inter looked the more menacing side.
Virgil van Dijk, who was captaining the Reds in the absence of Jordan Henderson, made a crucial charge on former Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko in the first half.
Inter came within a whisker of taking the lead when Ivan Perisic whipped in a cross, but Lautaro Martinez was unable to convert.
Liverpool took the lead in a thrilling contest when Firmino scored a glancing header in the 75th minute, before Salah doubled the lead eight minutes later.
Klopp’s team still has work to do, but it will take something especially extraordinary from Inter to turn this tie around.
Liverpool is still chasing four trophies and could have one by the time Inter comes to Merseyside in February, when the Reds face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Teenager Elliot enthralled by the San Siro stage
Despite the fact that the San Siro was only half filled due to Covid-19 limits, there was an electric mood inside for the first match between these two clubs in 14 years.
Elliott, who will turn 19 in April, reveled in the moment on his first start since suffering a catastrophic ankle injury in September.
In the first half, the teenager looked at ease on one of the most iconic stages in global football, producing a cross that was only cut off before Salah could nudge it over the line.
As Inter threatened, Elliott was substituted in the 59th minute as part of a triple substitution by Klopp in an attempt to turn the tide – a decision that paid off as Liverpool went on to establish a big lead.
“He did his job, he worked extremely hard, but it’s not easy when you’re 18 years old and playing against one of the most experienced teams in the world,” Klopp added.
“As a result, it was a crucial game for him, as well as for us.”
