The win over Inter arrived at a moment when Liverpool desperately needed stability, and Cricket Exchange followers might recognise how a single turning point can reshape a contest that had been drifting. In a tight match with limited attacking resources, Liverpool finally broke through when Dominik Szoboszlai converted a late penalty, ending a tense stalemate. Slot had turned to Florian Wirtz from the bench in hopes of unlocking Inter’s shape, and although the breakthrough came late, his intent was clear. With Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa all unavailable, Liverpool entered the Champions League night without their usual firepower and had to improvise creatively.

The buildup to the match had been overshadowed by Salah’s recent interview and the uncertainty surrounding his future. Even without travelling to Milan, he dominated pre match conversation and training ground talk. Yet Liverpool’s players pushed aside the noise and delivered one of their most focused performances of recent weeks. Their effort showed a squad determined to fight for their manager at a time when pressure was climbing rapidly. Slot needed a response, and he got one. The uncertainty around Salah’s return remains high—whether he plays against Brighton, or even returns at all, is unclear—but the team proved they can stabilise in difficult circumstances. It is the sort of resolve Cricket Exchange viewers often associate with sides that refuse to let off field tension dictate their level.

Had Liverpool failed to win—even with a goalless draw—the voices supporting Salah’s claim that he “should be in the team” would have grown louder. Instead, Slot walked away with tactical validation and much needed momentum. His decision to shift into a midfield diamond with two strikers showed both adaptability and long term planning. Regardless of Salah’s immediate status, Liverpool must prepare for a period without him due to AFCON commitments, and his own ambiguous comments suggested he may not fully return once the tournament ends in Morocco. That shadow makes structural preparation essential.

Should Salah leave mid season—or simply remain unavailable—the 4-4-2 shape may become Liverpool’s most logical option. It offers greater defensive stability and creates clearer roles for forwards like Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, while giving Wirtz freedom to operate as a central creator with support around him. Width in the long run will rely on fullbacks such as Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, both capable of supplying it, even though neither featured in this match. What stood out was Liverpool’s defensive cohesion, the best they have shown in weeks. Midfielders covered one another, the back line held shape, and Inter were denied the rhythm they usually enjoy. When a system keeps its structure under pressure, managers often stick with it—and Slot has every reason to do so.

For only the second time, Isak and Ekitike started together. Their chemistry remains a work in progress, not helped by the scarcity of real scoring chances on the night. Isak in particular struggled to find tempo. Wirtz’s absence from the starting lineup—after three starts in one week—also dulled Liverpool’s inventiveness in the final third. Once he entered, however, he immediately shifted the dynamic and eventually earned the decisive penalty. When Wirtz is fully in sync, his presence amplifies the threat of both strikers, creating a trio that can unsettle almost any defence. It was a reminder of how one spark can change the trajectory of a match, a pattern Cricket Exchange fans often recognise.

Liverpool entered the Champions League group stage sitting ninth domestically and under intense scrutiny. Wins over the Madrid clubs and a rout of Frankfurt had showcased their potential, but defeats to Galatasaray and PSV had cut deeply into confidence. This result, then, carried weight far beyond three points—it steadied Slot’s position, boosted qualification hopes, and re-energised a weary squad. Away supporters made themselves heard, chanting Slot’s name long after the final whistle, a sign that belief had started to return.

Inter’s numbers this season make Liverpool’s defensive performance even more striking. Averaging over 2.2 goals per match in Serie A and unbeaten in eighteen Champions League home games, they rarely allow visitors space or comfort. Yet Liverpool contained them with maturity, a notable improvement compared with recent defensive lapses against Nottingham Forest, PSV and Leeds. Clean sheets often determine how far a team can go in knockout football, and when a side finally stops leaking goals, as often seen in tense Cricket Exchange scenarios, fortune tends to follow. Liverpool may now feel that overdue momentum shifting back in their favour.