Liverpool produced an improved performance defensively to beat Inter Milan at the San Siro and improve their hopes of a top-eight Champions League finish. The Reds were hurt, and helped, by VAR on a night of contentious decisions as Dominik Szoboszlai scored a match-winning penalty with just two minutes of normal time remaining in Italy. The win lifts Liverpool back into eighth in the table with matches away at Marseille and at home to Qarabag to come. They now have a very real chance of avoiding the knockout playoffs.

Ibrahima Konate thought he'd put Liverpool 1-0 up in the 31st minute but after a five-minute VAR check, the goal was chalked off by referee Felix Zwayer for a handball that was clearly unintentional. Virgil van Dijk headed the ball against Ekitike's arm from point-blank range but the Reds were still denied the goal. Yet Zwayer later sided with Liverpool for an apparent foul on substitute Florian Wirtz and Szoboszlai stepped up to assume penalty duty in the absence of Mohamed Salah and secure a big three points.

Express Sport rates and slates Arne Slot's side...

Liverpool player ratings vs Inter Milan

Alisson - 7

Didn't have to make a save until the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time then produced a brilliant stop to deny Lautaro Martinez moments later. That save proved crucial and he was really good at claiming crosses.

Joe Gomez - 6

One nice cross into the box in the first half was an anomaly as he was otherwise disappointing going forward despite being solid defensively. Pressed well high up the pitch though.

Ibrahima Konate - 7

Had a goal controversially ruled out after a close-range header but at last an error-free 90 minutes from the Frenchman. Unless you count a corner he conceded that he didn't need to (but it led only to a shot off target!)

Virgil van Dijk - 7

Lost Martinez for his headed chance but was otherwise closer to his best and typically strong aerially and on the ball. Key to a much-needed clean sheet.

Andy Robertson - 6

On the end of a heavy Lautaro Martinez tackle early on. A brilliant second-half cross almost saw Alessandro Bastoni swipe it into his own goal but otherwise his end product was inconsistent.

Ryan Gravenberch - 8

Excellent in and out possession and switched on defensively, especially to track back smartly to thwart a potential back post chance for Marcus Thuram before half-time. Some really important contributions.

Curtis Jones - 7

Nice and proactive in possession and should be starting every match while fit. Forced a good save from Yann Sommer after a nice dribble. Booked.

Alexis Mac Allister - 5

A few moments where he clearly lacked legs and one second-half pass, that he launched out of play from a promising position, sums up his season. Good block on a Martinez shot on the hour.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 8

Typically industrious off the ball. Was absolutely everywhere on the pitch and it was his corner delivery that led to the disallowed goal. A very well-taken pressure penalty in the absence of Salah.

Alexander Isak - 5

Wasn't really involved first 45 and his only shot, early in the second half, was off target before being subbed early. Liverpool need to work on getting him the ball more.

Hugo Ekitike - 6

Some lovely moments of footwork and tried to make things happen but very harshly punished for handball before the disallowed Konate goal. Never truly tested Sommer but his flick set up Conor Bradley's chance. Booked.

Substitutes

Conor Bradley (Gomez 68) - 7

A brilliant control and pass immediately after coming on almost led to a goal. Had a great chance to score but shot straight at Sommer. Really added dynamism to the Liverpool attack. Will be a big miss for Brighton at the weekend, a match he's suspended for.

Florian Wirtz (Isak 68) - 6

Should have produced a better pass for Ekitike in one attack and also wasted a decent shooting chance. Won a very controversial penalty after Bastoni pulled his shirt.