Inter vs Liverpool: Champions League team news and prediction

Liverpool have won every Champions League game so far and the Reds are hoping to continue their 100% record in the competition when they take on Inter tonight. 

Ahead of the game in Milan, we provide all the necessary pre-match information, including where to watch the first leg, team news and probable XIs. 

When is kick off?  

Wednesday 16th February, 20:00 GMT  

Where is the match?  

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan (Italy) 

What TV channel is it on?  

BT Sport 2 

Route to the last-16 

Inter's Champions League campaign got off to a stuttering start as they fell to a late 1-0 home loss to Real Madrid and were then held to a 0-0 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk. However, they upped the ante following back-to-back setbacks, winning their double header with FC Sheriff and then beating Shakhtar in the return fixture back in Milan. A 2-0 loss to Real Madrid in Spain meant they finished second in Group D, three points clear of FC Sheriff. 

Liverpool were absolutely superb in their group stage campaign, progressing as group winners as one of three teams to boast a 100% record to secure top spot with ease. They scored 17 goals on their way to finishing top of Group B, 10 of which were scored on their travels, and their last trip to Milan produced a 2-1 win over Inter's fierce rivals AC Milan. 

Team news 

The huge blow for Inter is the absence of Nicolo Barella, who received his marching orders in the final group game defeat at Real Madrid, with Arturo Vidal potentially starting alongide Marcelo Brozovic and Hakan Calhanoglu in the middle of the park. Joaquin Correa and Robin Gosens are absent through injury, while Aleksandar Kolarov is ineligible having been removed from Inter's Champions League squad. Alessandro Bastoni is serving a domestic ban, but is available for selection and is expected to start alongside Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij in defence. Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez are set to lead the line with Alexis Sanchez an option from the bench. 

Liverpool have no pressing injury concerns for their trip to Milan. Divock Origi is a doubt for the away side, as is Jordan Henderson, though only the latter would have started. James Milner, Harvey Elliott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are in competition to replace Henderson in the middle of the park if needed. Diogo Jota sustained a dead leg in the build up to Liverpool's win at Burnley and that meant he started the victory at Turf Moor on the bench, yet is expected to replace Roberto Firmino on the frontline. Mohamed Salah should feature on the right, while Jurgn Klopp must decide whether to use AFCON winner Sadio Mane or January arrival Luis Diaz from the left. 

Probable XIs 

Inter (352) - Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Vidal, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Dzeko, Martinez 

Liverpool (433) - Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Diaz

Key Battle: Lautaro Martinez vs Diogo Jota

"Lautaro Martinez is one of the most exciting strikers in the world." Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for the Argentine when Liverpool were drawn against Inter in December. Martinez was heavily linked with a move to England over the summer, but Inter rebuffed every effort made to lure the striker away from Milan in the wake of Romelu Lukaku's return to Chelsea and the Nerazzurri are all the better for it.

However, while Martinez has been a key man for Inter in Serie A, firing in 11 goals and providing two assists, the 24-year-old has struggled in the Champions League. Indeed, Martinez is yet to directly contribute to a goal in the competition, though it's not for want of trying. No player has managed more shots than Martinez (25) in Europe's elite club competition this season, while 10 key passes is also the 27th best return.

Diogo Jota hasn't fared much better than Martinez, hitting the back of the net just the once in the Champions League, albeit having started just three games. The Portuguese forward has been in excellent form of late, directly contributing to six goals, scoring five, in his last four competitive starts, and winning the WhoScored man of the match award in three of those. Fans are hoping he has fully recovered from a dead leg in time to shine in Milan.

Score Prediction: Inter 1-2 Liverpool