Liverpool 2-0 Internazionale

Dirk Kuyt's deflected shot and Steven Gerrard's raking low drive in the last five minutes put Liverpool FC in command of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie with FC Internazionale Milano, who battled bravely for almost an hour with only ten men only to fall short at the last.

Red card
Inter central defender Marco Materazzi was shown a second yellow card after only 30 minutes but Liverpool, who dominated proceedings for long spells, could not make their numerical superiority pay off until the 85th minute when Jermaine Pennant's deep right-wing cross was allowed to bounce through to Kuyt at the far post for a shot that beat Júlio César with the help of a considerable deflection off Maicon. Liverpool took a firm grip on the tie in the 90th minute, Gerrard beating the Inter goalkeeper with a low shot from the corner of the penalty area that evaded everyone and went in off a post to finally reward the home side for a vibrant display.

Materazzi off
Liverpool started the stronger and Fábio Aurélio had the first real strike on goal in the fifth minute with a curling free-kick from the edge of the penalty area, but the full-back's attempt flew just over the crossbar. Júlio César then touched over a Sami Hyypiä header before Materazzi was booked for a foul on Fernando Torres and, after tugging on the shirt of the same player, was dismissed with just 30 minutes gone – a defining moment. Down to ten men, the Serie A leaders were always likely to be up against it and Liverpool held sway throughout the first half, Argentinian midfielder Javier Mascherano especially effective at keeping Inter pinned back.

Inter regroup
For all their attacking intentions, the five-time European champions struggled to create any genuine opportunities as Inter regrouped and expertly reshuffled their defensive lines. Ryan Babel cut inside from the left and blazed one shot high and wide, before Gerrard was unlucky not to find a red shirt with a dangerous low cross, but Liverpool could not make any significant inroads as the opening period came to a close.

Torres denied
A moment of confusion early in the second half almost presented Inter with the lead as Hyypiä's rash attempted clearance eventually fell to Zlatan Ibrahimović, who set up Esteban Cambiasso for an instant shot which flew well wide. Inter coach Roberto Mancini introduced Patrick Vieira, but the substitute's first contribution almost cost his side a goal and he was dispossessed by Lucas Leiva and the ball broke for Torres to race clear, only for Júlio César to touch behind his low shot. Hyypiä then grazed the top of the net with a header and Torres fired narrowly wide as Liverpool turned up the heat on a bitterly cold night on Merseyside.

Late drama
Rafael Benítez introduced Peter Crouch and Pennant in the hope of breaking down Inter's rearguard and defender Iván Córdoba was carried off with a serious-looking leg injury with 15 minutes to play, yet still the visitors looked like holding out. The breakthrough finally came as the clock ticked down and Kuyt put Liverpool in front before Gerrard earned them a potentially vital two-goal lead to defend at San Siro on 11 March.