Inter Milan vs Liverpool – Champions League Preview
Date: Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Venue: San Siro, Milan
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Liverpool travels to the San Siro at a moment in which the word fragile feels charitable. The reigning Premier League champions arrive in Italy without form, without unity, and—most critically—without internal peace. The fallout from the chaotic 3–3 draw at Elland Road has accelerated an already volatile situation, but it was Mohamed Salah’s post-match comments that sent the alarm bells ringing across Merseyside.
Liverpool is a team in conflict, led by a manager who appears increasingly isolated, and travelling into a Champions League tie that could define whether Arne Slot even sees the new year. Inter await, and unlike Liverpool, they are in rhythm, balance, and harmony—everything the Reds once were and are currently miles away from being. The dominating side in Serie A right now will be confident of a win and will eagerly await the arrival of European royalty.
This is a match that feels less like a group-stage fixture and more like a referendum on an unravelling regime, one that could finally see the end of the Slot era.
Inter Milan: Structure, Solidity, and a Clear Identity
Cristian Chivu’s Inter are exactly what Liverpool are not right now: well-drilled, cohesive, and certain of their roles. The Italian champions enter this match in excellent domestic form, driven by a powerful spine and a tactical clarity that has carried over seamlessly from last season.
Lautaro Martínez remains one of Europe’s most complete forwards, capable of grinding centre-backs down with energy while finding pockets of space with elite intelligence. Nicolò Barella and Hakan Çalhanoğlu anchor a midfield that moves the ball with speed and intent, offering vertical precision and control in equal measure. Marcus Thuram, Federico Dimarco, and Luis Henrique give Inter dynamism in wide areas areas Liverpool are struggling to defend consistently.
San Siro under Champions League lights is not an arena for uncertainty, and Inter will look to expose Liverpool’s mental and structural instability early. Quick transitions, aggression in midfield, and targeted pressure on a rattled Liverpool back line will be their blueprint.
Chivu will respect the badge, but he will not fear the team wearing it and neither should he.
Predicted Inter Lineup (3-5-2):
GK – Yann Sommer
CB – Alessandro Bastoni
CB – Stefan de Vrij
CB – Manuel Akanji
RWB – Federico Dimarco
CM – Nicolò Barella
CM – Hakan Çalhanoğlu
CM – Petar Sučić
LWB – Luis Henrique
CF – Marcus Thuram
CF – Lautaro Martínez
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Liverpool: Turbulent, Divided, and Searching for a Lifeline
Arne Slot enters this match on the brink. Performances haven’t convinced, results have collapsed, and now the dressing room—symbolised by Salah’s stinging public critique—is crumbling around him.
Liverpool’s issues are no longer tactical alone; they are emotional. They are structural. They are existential.
The team that once thrived on unity is fractured, perhaps beyond repair. The midfield still lacks balance and a true defensive shield. The defensive line is surviving on reputation rather than authority. And in attack, the sidelining of Salah in favour of out-of-form alternatives has created a rift that now feels irreparable.
Yet even in this chaos, sparks remain. Florian Wirtz’s quality persists in glimmers. Szoboszlai is still fighting as though he carries the crest alone. Alexander Isak offers world-class potential if starting, even as the side around him fluctuates between hesitant and disjointed.
Rotation is inevitable after a busy period prior to and after this huge encounter.
Slot must restore Salah to the starting XI, as the fire within may be what this team needs. He must consolidate the midfield structure. Most importantly, he must present a team that still believes in him.
This game will either stabilise his authority—or extinguish it.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3):
GK – Alisson Becker
RB – Conor Bradley
CB – Virgil van Dijk (c)
CB – Joe Gomez
LB – Andy Robertson
CM – Dominik Szoboszlai
CM – Alexis Mac Allister
CM – Curtis Jones
RW – Mohamed Salah
CF – Alexander Isak
LW – Federico Chiesa
The Tactical Picture
Inter will try to suffocate Liverpool’s midfield early, exploiting the gaps that have opened repeatedly in recent weeks. Liverpool must counter with pace, bravery, and a rediscovered sense of urgency. Wirtz drifting centrally, Salah attacking Bastoni, and Szoboszlai carrying the ball through pressure offer the most viable routes forward.
This match will not wait for them. Neither will Inter who I think will brush away their opponents with ease.
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Player to Watch: Mohamed Salah
After his public criticism of the manager, all eyes turn to the Egyptian King, perhaps.
If Liverpool is to salvage anything from this match—or this season—his leadership and influence must return to the heart of the team.
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Final Word
This feels like the night where something gives—one way or another.
Liverpool cannot afford another humiliation, yet it feels likely. Slot cannot absorb another blow, however, it’s most likely to occur.
And the players cannot continue drifting through a season without direction.
Steven Smith’s Score Prediction
Inter 3 – 1 Liverpool
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