Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool’s tie with Inter Milan still ‘dangerous’ despite two-goal advantage

Jurgen Klopp warned Liverpool’s players there is still much work to be done despite them taking a huge step towards the Champions League quarter-finals.

Late goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah were enough for Liverpool to beat Inter Milan 2-0 at the San Siro; the resilient performance they produced – and the result it secured – meant this was their best European away day since a 3-1 win at Bayern Munich in March 2019.

But Klopp – who has a fitness concern about key striker Diogo Jota – insisted that it would ridiculous if his group started thinking that it was a formality they will reach the last eight ahead of the return against Inter, which takes place on March 8 at Anfield.

‘It is still dangerous,’ Klopp said. ‘It is only half-time. We don’t feel like we are halfway through. We will have to be ready for it. They are good – really good! 2-0 feels like a proper half-time. I don’t say ‘job done, put your legs on the table.’ Why should I think different about it now?

‘We defended really well – the way that we like to win the ball. You have to defend with passion and organisation. It was really strong challenge (from Inter) but it would be silly if you didn’t defend well. It means a lot to us, this competition, and we want to do well in it.

‘This is a difficult place to come. They are a very, very confident opponent. They played real smart balls, they have this deep last line and in the beginning we did very well. I was not surprised – they are good. We know that. We have to be ready for the second half.’

Jota was withdrawn at half-time and Liverpool’s strength in depth was illustrated by the fact his replacement, Firmino, made the crucial breakthrough before Salah scored in his eighth consecutive European away game.

Of Jota’s injury, Klopp said: ‘I don’t know (how bad it is). It is a twisted ankle and it is swollen. It’s not a good sign but we have to see. We will check it early tomorrow and he will need to have a further assessment but we have to wait and see.’

There is no question Klopp’s substitutions around the hour mark changed the course of the contest, as Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita, who replaced 18-year-old Harvey Elliott and Fabinho, along with Luis Diaz, who took over from Sadio Mane, had a huge impact.

‘The most difficult area is the centre and Inter were coming at us from all areas,’ said Klopp. ‘But then of course Hendo, Naby and Luis came on, with fresh legs, we started to control the game a lot better and that is exactly what we needed to do.

‘Harvey can play so much better, we know that, but he did the job, he worked incredibly hard. When you are 18 and you play against one of the most experienced teams – and they are Italian! – then it is not easy but he did very well.’