UCL: 10-Man Inter Milan Win At Anfield, Liverpool Qualify On Aggregate

Liverpool survived an Anfield loss to qualify into the quarterfinals of the Champions League with a 2-1 aggregate win over 10-man Inter Milan after suffering a 1-0 loss to the Italian side on Tuesday.

After a cagey first half, a superb drive into the top corner from Lautaro Martinez in the 62nd minute put Inter ahead on the night.

But just when they looked capable of springing a surprise, the visitors found themselves down a man after Alexis Sanchez was dismissed for a second yellow card after catching Liverpool midfielder Fabinho.

It was a harsh decision against Sanchez, who had won the ball but caught the Brazilian with his follow through and Inter's bench furiously protested.

The dismissal killed Inter's momentum with Liverpool never looking in danger of conceding again.

"Lautaro's goal had hit Liverpool, but Sanchez's expulsion influenced the last half hour of play," said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi ruefully.

"A victory at Anfield it's nice, but it's useless for the qualification," he added.

After their 2-0 loss at the San Siro, Inzaghi's Inter came to Anfield knowing that they needed to find the perfect balance of defensive security and clinical finishing and they began in a confident fashion.

Inter's shape was compact and their movement clever while Liverpool struggled to get into their normal rhythm, perhaps wary of over-committing.

Although the defeat ended Liverpool's seven-match winning run in the Champions League they achieved their goal of reaching the last eight for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

"The art of football is to lose the right games. I still hate it, but if there's any game we could afford to lose it was tonight," said Jurgen Klopp.

"Over the two games I think we deserved it. It is fair that we are through against a tough opponent".