Liverpool v Inter Milan Preview

Admin (Mon-Pari-Sportif.com)  - This is probably the most interesting Champions league game of the day, as Benitez and his Reds face Serie A’s high-flyers Inter Milan at Anfield, in what should be a tight and disputed encounter.

Not the best of times for Liverpool who have hit rock-bottom at the weekend, following a surprising 1-2 defeat to Championship club Barnsley in the FA Cup. Feeling tired, and lacking confidence? Here’s a remedy for you: let’s play Inter Milan! Ok, I must admit I’ve seen easier-looking games, for a Liverpool side on the look for positive results, at last.

In the last few weeks, there has been some decent results, but a goalless draw to Chelsea and a convincing 3-0 win over lowly Sunderland have far from convinced us, punters, about the well-being of this Liverpool squad.

2-2 against Villa, 1-0 defeat away to West Ham, and now a 1-2 defeat at Anfield against an opportunist Barnsley team 33 places down the rankings… no doubt to say pressure is mounting on a 100%-committed Rafa Benitez would could well be shown a door if his side’s European adventure  ended prematurely.

Meanwhile, Inter are flying high in their domestic league. Best attack, best defense, and a team that looks unstoppable at the moment. Mancini will however be wary of a potential backlash from the Reds, especially in an ever-boiling Anfield expecting nothing but a win tonight.

For Inter, it’s really a question of turning good domestic results into European glory, thing that the Serie A side hasn’t done for donkey’s years.

Daniel Agger (foot) and Andriy Voronin (ankle) are both out injured, but the Liverpool star players such as Pepe Reina, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres, who were rested at the weekend, make their way back into the starting XI.

For Inter, Luis Jimenez is out while Figo, who’s demanded to return to the Portugal international squad by his fans, is doubtful. Likewise, rested players Materazzi, Ibrahimovic and Cruz are in contention.

Verdict: This one should be the tightest of games. I see a real and understanding motivation for Liverpool, but Inter are in form, and the Cruz/Ibrahimovic duo is more impressive than Torres/Crouch to me. I’m going for the outsider and will back Inter @ 2.75.

Liverpool v Inter Milan Preview