Liverpool came close to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, after a tough win against their host Inter Milan with two clean goals at the San Siro stadium on Wednesday.

It appeared that the two teams were heading towards a goalless draw in the first leg of the round of 16, until the Brazilian "Reds" striker Roberto Firmino broke the deadlock and opened the scoring in the 74th minute, following an Andrew Robertson corner with a header to the far right corner of the opposing goalkeeper Samir Handanović.

Egyptian star Mohamed Salah doubled the score eight minutes later, after the ball reached inside the penalty area, shooting it into the "serpents'" goal.

The English team took a step closer to the quarter-finals, enjoying an advantage in the second leg scheduled next month at Anfield Stadium.

It was an unforgettable night, especially for midfielder Harvey Elliott, who became the youngest player ever to start a match in the competition with Liverpool at the age of 18 years and 318 days.

The only negative result for Jürgen Klopp's players was the injury of Portuguese striker Diogo Jota, who was substituted at the beginning of the second half after suffering an ankle injury.

"An important match"

Liverpool has now won seven consecutive matches in all competitions, and it can be said that this is the most impressive in the current race.

Inter started dangerous during the match, as former Manchester City striker Edin Džeko found himself alone in the first half before Virgil van Dijk intervened, who was the captain of the visitors in the absence of Jordan Henderson.

The home team came close again to scoring when Ivan Perišić fired a cross, but Lautaro Martínez was unable to give Inter the lead.

There is still work to be done for Klopp’s team, but it will require something extra special from Inter to change this result.

Liverpool continues to chase four titles, and may achieve one by the time of their next match against Inter Milan.

The "Reds" face Chelsea in the final of the English Football League Cup at Wembley on February 27.

The San Siro stadium was only half full due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the atmosphere was great for the first meeting between the two teams in 14 years.

Elliott, who won’t turn 19 until April, participated on this occasion in his first start since suffering a serious ankle injury in September.

The teenager was not far from his level and delivered a cross in the first half that was intercepted before Salah could receive it.

Elliott was substituted in the 59th minute as part of a triple change where Klopp tried to turn the match around.

Klopp said: "He did the job, and he worked incredibly hard, but when you are 18 years old and play with one of the most experienced teams in football, it’s not a walk in the park."

He added: "It was an important match for him, and very useful for us as well."