Internazionale are in ominous form ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Italy on Tuesday, picking up a comprehensive win over Como.
The Reds face a crucial Champions League clash in midweek, with the recent 4-1 defeat at home to PSV Eindhoven putting them in a precarious position.
On Tuesday, Arne Slot’s under-fire Liverpool side head to Inter, who reached the Champions League final earlier this year, losing 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain.
Cristian Chivu’s men warmed up for the visit of the Reds with a resounding 4-0 victory over Cesc Fabregas’ Como on Saturday, taking them two points clear at the top of Serie A at the time.
Attacking talisman Lisandro Martinez opened the scoring for Inter, with Marcus Thuram, Hakan Calhanoglu and Carlos Augusto also finding the net.
Speaking after the game, Fabregas showed his admiration for his opponents, saying he will be present at the Liverpool game.
“This defeat is very bad, and very deserved. Inter is so strong,” Fabregas said.
“I will be coming to the San Siro on Tuesday to watch them face Liverpool in the Champions League and keep learning from them.”
It was the Italian side’s third win in a row, following on from a 5-1 home win against Venezia in the Coppa Italia last Wednesday, so the goals are flowing freely.
This was ideal preparation for Inter, who will be feeling in positive spirits with a struggling Liverpool team heading to the San Siro.
Inter XI vs. Como: Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram.
They are also fourth in the Champions League group stage, winning four of their five matches in the competition this season, so this is a daunting task for the Reds.
Slot’s champions were again disappointing in Saturday’s 3-3 draw away to Leeds in the Premier League, with Mohamed Salah adding to the current crisis with some fiery post-match comments.
Liverpool are 13th and struggling to finish in the top eight of the 36-team group, which would guarantee progress to the knockout rounds.
On the plus side, the Reds have won on their two trips to Inter during the Champions League era, with a Fernando Torres goal separating the two sides back in 2008.
Then, in 2022, also in the last 16 – this time in the first leg – Jurgen Klopp’s ran out 2-0 winners, thanks to goals from Roberto Firmino and Salah.
In terms of injury news, influential right-back Denzel Dumfries could return to Inter’s matchday squad on Tuesday, potentially coming up against Netherlands teammates Virgil van Dijk, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.