Liverpool secured a high-leverage Champions League win over Inter Milan after Dominik Szoboszlai converted an 88th-minute penalty, delivering a timely operational rebound during a turbulent week for the club.
The narrative heading into the fixture was dominated by Mohamed Salah’s omission following his explosive interview, but the squad recalibrated on the pitch to capture three critical points.
Liverpool regain control amid off-field turbulence
With Salah left in England, responsibility changed hands. A VAR review flagged Alessandro Bastoni’s shirt pull on Florian Wirtz, and Szoboszlai executed under pressure, beating Yann Sommer despite the goalkeeper reading the direction correctly.
The strike maintained Liverpool’s upward trajectory, extending their unbeaten run to four after a damaging sequence of nine defeats in 12.
The Reds now sit on 12 points from six league-phase matches, re-entering the top-eight bracket that guarantees automatic progression to the last 16.
Szoboszlai scored from the spot to hand Liverpool a vital win vs Inter after – Getty image
Inter threaten but falter late
Inter entered the match on a 19-game unbeaten home run in the competition but saw it collapse despite generating key moments.
Liverpool thought they had broken through earlier when Ibrahima Konaté headed in from a corner, only for VAR to rule Hugo Ekitike had handled the ball in the buildup.
Curtis Jones, Szoboszlai, and Ekitike all forced Sommer into action, while Inter lost Piotr Zielinski and Yann Aurel Bisseck to injury disruptions.
The hosts gained momentum midway through the first half, with Nicolò Barella going close from a free-kick and Lautaro Martínez denied by Alisson.
Mohamed Salah says he feels he has been “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool, adding that his relationship with head coach Arne Slot has collapsed.
The Egypt forward was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United, the third consecutive match he has started on the bench.
Breakdown in relationship with Slot
After the match, Salah delivered an unusually blunt interview, claiming he was being positioned to take the blame for Liverpool’s struggles.
“I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame,” Salah said.
“I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, but it seems someone doesn’t want me in the club.”
Salah feels he’s no longer needed at Liverpool – Getty image
Salah added that the situation had become “unacceptable,” insisting that he had “earned” his position in the squad and felt unfairly treated.
Future at Liverpool uncertain
The 33-year-old, who signed a two-year contract extension in April, admitted he is unsure about his long-term future at Anfield as he prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations from 15 December.
Salah scored 29 Premier League goals last season as Liverpool won the title under Slot. However, he has struggled to reproduce that form, scoring only four league goals in 13 appearances this term.
Saudi interest growing
Salah remains a prime target for the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Hilal among the clubs tracking him. Liverpool are said to be “open-minded” about his future amid renewed interest from the region.
Slot explains decision to bench Salah
Slot defended his decision not to introduce Salah at Elland Road, saying the team needed to “control the game” when leading 3-2.
He acknowledged the interest around Salah’s benching but maintained that the forward remains a “top professional.”
Legendary status but a sour ending?
Salah is third on Liverpool’s all-time scoring list with 250 goals in 420 appearances. Since joining from Roma in 2017, he has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.
He has also collected four Premier League Golden Boots, matching Thierry Henry’s record, and won last season’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
Salah rarely stops to speak in the mixed zone, making his latest remarks even more significant. “I’m very disappointed. I have done so much for this club,” he said on Saturday. “It seems to me that someone doesn’t want me in the club.”
Unless the situation changes quickly, Salah’s impending departure to AFCON may mark the beginning of the end.
The key question now is whether he returns in January as a Liverpool player, or whether the breakdown becomes permanent.
Liverpool snapped their alarming slump with a 2-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium, as Alexander Isak finally scored his first Premier League goal for the club since his £130million move from Newcastle.
The champions entered the fixture on the back of nine defeats in 12 matches across competitions, their worst spell in more than seven decades, prompting questions over manager Arne Slot’s future.
Slot responded by dropping Mohamed Salah for the first time in the league since April 2024, and his reshuffle yielded the breakthrough Liverpool desperately needed.
Isak delivers under pressure
After being denied by a superb first-half save from Alphonse Areola, Isak broke the deadlock on the hour mark.
Found in space by Cody Gakpo, the striker produced a calm, clinical finish that justified his record transfer fee and relieved weeks of tension around the squad.
Gakpo then completed the job deep into stoppage time, smashing a loose ball past Areola to end a professional away performance and move Liverpool up to eighth, now just two points off the top four.
West Ham reduced to ten
West Ham’s hopes deteriorated further when Lucas Paquetá was sent off in bizarre fashion.
The Brazilian, returning from suspension, received a yellow card for dissent after disputing a challenge, then immediately talked himself into a second caution as he continued protesting.
Down to ten men, the Hammers struggled for rhythm on an emotional day marked by the passing of club legend Billy Bonds at age 79.
The club adjusted their pre-match playlist to honour their former captain and manager.
Liverpool still a work in progress
Despite the victory, Liverpool remain short of their peak levels. However, the result stops the bleeding after a chaotic run and provides a platform from which Slot’s side can attempt to rebuild momentum.
Pep Guardiola celebrated his 1,000th game as a manager with a stunning 3-0 win over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, cutting Arsenal’s Premier League lead to four points.
Manchester City took control early, and halting Liverpool’s resurgence. Erling Haaland missed a penalty after Giorgi Mamardashvili fouled Jeremy Doku but made amends minutes later with a towering header from Matheus Nunes’ cross, his 28th goal of the season.
Haaland led the line well, supported by Doku, Phil Fode, and Bernardo Silva, while Gianluigi Donnarumma was solid in goal, denying Dominik Szoboszlai’s late effort.
Liverpool delivered a masterclass at Anfield on Tuesday night, overpowering Real Madrid in a performance that signaled a full return to their ruthless best in the Champions League.
Arne Slot’s men, who recently ended a poor run of six defeats in seven matches with a hard-fought win against Aston Villa, looked fully rejuvenated as they dismantled the Spanish giants in front of their home supporters.
Mac Allister breaks the deadlock
Despite Liverpool’s first-half dominance, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois kept the visitors in the game with a series of superb saves.
The Belgian denied Dominik Szoboszlai on multiple occasions and produced a remarkable reflex stop from Virgil van Dijk’s header.
The breakthrough finally came in the 61st minute when Alexis Mac Allister found space in the box to nod home Szoboszlai’s well-delivered free-kick, leaving Courtois helpless and sending the Kop into raptures.
Real Madrid fall short
Real’s key men, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, were effectively neutralized by Liverpool’s high press and physical dominance in midfield. Arne Slot’s tactical discipline ensured the Spanish side never settled into rhythm.
Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, now with Real Madrid, was introduced late in the game but received a hostile reception from fans who once idolized him.
His brief cameo did little to alter the outcome as Real remained second best until the final whistle.
Harry Maguire’s dramatic late goal earned Manchester United their first victory at Anfield in nearly 10 years, sealing a 2-1 win and condemning Liverpool to a fourth consecutive defeat.
United strike early amid controversy
The match began in chaotic fashion as United took the lead inside two minutes.
Referee Michael Oliver allowed play to continue despite Alex Mac Allister lying on the turf with a head injury following an accidental elbow from teammate Virgil van Dijk.
United capitalized immediately, with Bryan Mbeumo slotting home past stand-in goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was deputizing for the injured Alisson.
Gakpo’s persistence finally pays off
Liverpool responded with intensity, but Cody Gakpo endured a frustrating evening, striking the woodwork twice before halftime and again after the restart.
Chelsea secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, with youngster Estevao Willian netting a last-gasp winner deep into added time to hand Arne Slot his third straight defeat as Reds boss.
The Blues took the lead early through Moises Caicedo, who unleashed a stunning strike from distance to open the scoring.
However, Cody Gakpo equalised for Liverpool after a defensive lapse from the hosts.
Despite losing control in some parts of the game, Chelsea kept pressing until Estevao’s decisive moment sealed all three points.
Injury concerns for Chelsea
The victory came at a cost for Enzo Maresca’s men, as Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong were forced off with injuries late in the game.
The result lifts Chelsea to sixth place, while Liverpool withdraw to take the second spot in the league table.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has praised Victor Osimhen following the Reds’ UEFA Champions League loss to Galatasaray on Tuesday.
Van Dijk said the Nigerian international created some chances for himself but couldn’t convert them.
The Dutch defender, however, noted that Osimhen did convert his penalty against Liverpool.
Recall that a first-half penalty gave Galatasaray the victory against the Premier League champions at Rams Park.
Speaking after the game, Van Dijk also admitted that Arne Slot’s side made mistakes against the hosts.
“They won a penalty and a few chances because of our mistakes. It was a bit of a messy game,” Van Dijk was quoted by Habersarikirmizi as saying after the game.
“After a terrible performance at the weekend, we are facing a hard defeat to accept.
“Osimhen converted the penalty. He also had some chances due to our mistakes.
“He could not capitalize on them, but he did manage to create some for himself. Galatasaray’s attacking players are successful.”
Victor Osimhen was the difference on a thunderous Champions League night as Galatasaray handed Liverpool their second successive defeat.
The Nigerian forward struck from the penalty spot in the 16th minute after Dominik Szoboszlai fouled Baris Alper Yilmaz, punishing the Premier League champions in front of a deafening RAMS Park crowd.
The goal came seconds after Davinson Sanchez had denied Cody Gakpo with a clearance off the line, swinging the tide firmly Galatasaray’s way.
Slot’s gamble backfires as Reds toil
Liverpool coach Arne Slot chose to start without Mohamed Salah, hoping to spark a reaction after the weekend loss at Crystal Palace.
But the decision misfired, with Salah and Alexander Isak only introduced after the hour mark to little effect.
Alisson kept Liverpool in the contest with several big saves, including one from Osimhen, before limping off injured.
A late chance to level disappeared when Ibrahima Konate’s penalty claim was overturned by VAR, silencing brief celebrations.
Reds exposed under pressure
Liverpool once again looked fragile at the back, their expensively assembled attack failing to leave a mark.
Florian Wirtz was anonymous, while Hugo Ekitike added to the problems by departing injured.
The result leaves Slot’s side facing early questions in Europe despite sitting top of the Premier League.
They face Chelsea next in the Premier League this weekend.
Liverpool’s 17-game unbeaten streak came to a halt after a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, with late drama sealing the Reds’ first loss of the season.
Arne Slot’s men were outplayed for much of the contest as Palace struck early through Ismaila Sarr, before Eddie Nketiah’s late goal secured victory despite Federico Chiesa’s equaliser.
Palace strike first
The hosts made a blistering start, capitalising on a defensive lapse when Ryan Gravenberch failed to clear a corner, allowing Sarr to fire home from close range.
Liverpool relied on goalkeeper Alisson, who pulled off a string of world-class saves to keep Palace at bay before the break.
Liverpool falter despite Alisson’s brilliance
Alisson continued to frustrate Palace in the second half, denying Jean-Philippe Mateta in a one-on-one. Liverpool then grew into the game but Florian Wirtz wasted a big chance to open his account before being substituted.
Late drama seals Reds’ first loss
Substitute Chiesa appeared to rescue Liverpool with another late equaliser, but Palace had the final say when Nketiah pounced on a long throw to send the home crowd into jubilation.
Palace remain the only unbeaten side in the Premier League, while Liverpool’s title push has suffered a setback.
