The two teams meet in a competitive match for the third time after their European Cup semi-final in 1964/65. On that occasion the Nerazzurri won 3-0 in Milan to overturn a 3-1 defeat from the first leg. Inter went on to win the competition that season, beating Benfica 1-0 at San Siro.

The Reds face an Italian club for 18th time after 5 wins, 4 draws and 8 defeats. Four of these matches have been European Cup/Champions League finals. Liverpool lifted the trophy after a penalties victory over Roma at the Olimpico in 1983/84, repeating the success in 2004/05 after an incredible comeback against AC Milan. They lost out to Juventus in 1984/85 and AC Milan in 2006/07. Liverpool have played one European Super Cup against Italian opposition, losing to Juventus in 1985. Liverpool have never drawn in 4 home meetings with sides from Italy. There have been 2 Reds wins and 2 defeats.

Including their two-legged European Cup semi-final against Liverpool in 1964/65, Inter have faced English teams in European cup competitions on 24 occasions, winning 9, drawing 5 and losing 10. The Nerazzurri have also faced English opposition 4 times in the Anglo-Italian Cup (1 Inter win, 2 draws and 1 defeat). On their travels to England, Inter have collected 3 wins, 3 draws and 8 defeats.

The two coaches meet in a competitive fixture for the first time.

Liverpool have failed to score in just one of their last 10 European matches - their 1-0 home defeat to Olympique Marseille in the group stages. They have netted a total of 25 goals in the other 9 games.

The Nerazzurri have won five consecutive Champions League encounters since their 1-0 defeat at Fenerbahçe last 19 September. If they win again at Anfield, Inter will set a new absolute club record of consecutive victories in Europe. Inter have missed out on a sixth consecutive win on three previous occasions: after a 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund in 1963/64, after a 1-0 loss to Rangers in 1964/65 and after a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in 1998/99.

Massimo Moratti's first match as president of Inter was exactly 13 years ago. On 19 February 1995 Moratti's new team beat Brescia 1-0 in the league, thanks to a goal from Nicola Berti.

The Nerazzurri have won 24 games and drawn 5 since their last defeat, a 1-0 reverse at Fenerbahçe in the Champions League group stages last 19 September.

Since their last away defeat against Fenerbahçe on 19 September 2007, the Nerazzurri have played 14 away matches, winning 10 and drawing 4.

Belgian official Frank De Bleeckere was born in Oudenaarde on 1 July 1966. He has been an international referee since 1998. Liverpool v Inter is his fifth Champions League match of the 2007/08 season after Arsenal 3-0 Sparta Prague (qualifying round), Lazio 2-2 Real Madrid, Sporting Lisbon 2-2 Roma and Valencia 0-4 Schalke 04 (group stages). He has refereed the Nerazzurri on three previous occasions (Inter 3-0 Rosenborg, 2002/03 Champions League; Inter 1-0 Sporting Lisbon, 2006/07 Champions League; Inter 1-1 Lokomotiv Moscow, 2003/04 Champions League).

LIVERPOOL - Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard scored late goals to give Liverpool the edge over Inter in their Champions League round of 16 tie.

The Dutch striker scored in the 85th minute, with Reds captain Gerrard adding his team's second on the stroke of full time to leave the Nerazzurri stunned.

Inter played sixty minutes with ten men after Marco Materazzi was sent off for a second yellow card.

Roberto Mancini made numerous changes for the Anfield trip, with Cruz and Ibrahimovic, who both rested against Livorno, starting in attack.

Inter barely got a look-in during the first half as Liverpool dominated, pressing the Nerazzurri and creating openings when coming forward.

The Reds' first chance came in the ninth minute when Julio Cesar tipped over Hyypia's header.

Ivan Cordoba kept it tight at the back with a series of well-timed interceptions before Gerrard dragged wide a shot from an inviting position.

Inter were reduced to ten men on the half hour when Materazzi was dismissed for a second booking.

Babel hit a 20-yard shot over the bar, with Gerrard and Kuyt having shots saved as last season's beaten finalists continued to have the run of play before half time.

Liverpool started the second period as they ended the first, with Torres forcing Julio Cesar into a tipped save and Hyypia heading just over.

Mancini made a tactical switch on 55 minutes, bringing on Vieira for Cruz, but the Reds continued to make the man advantage count and Torres went close again, hitting narrowly wide a crisp low shot from 20 yards.

Inter suffered a further set-back with fifteen minutes remaining when Cordoba was stretchered off after landing awkwardly in the area.

With time running out Benitez' side took the lead, Kuyt's shot from Pennant's cross taking a slight deflection off Maicon and ending up in the back of the net.

Gerrard added insult to injury in the final minute, firing a low deflected shot beyond Julio Cesar and into the far corner to end Inter's long unbeaten run of 29 games.

Liverpool 2-0 Inter (HT: 0-0)

Scorers: Kuyt 85, Gerrard 90.

Liverpool (4-4-2): 25 Reina; 3 Finnan, 23 Carragher, 4 Hyypia, 12 Fabio Aurelio; 8 Gerrard, 21 Lucas Leiva (15 Crouch 64), 20 Mascherano, 19 Babel (16 Pennant 72); 9 Torres, 18 Kuyt.
Subs not used: 30 Itandje, 6 Riise, 11 Benayoun, 14 Xabi Alonso, 17 Alvaro Arbeloa.
Coach: Rafa Benitez.

Inter (4-4-2): 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba (16 Burdisso 76), 23 Materazzi, 26 Chivu; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic, 6 Maxwell; 8 Ibrahimovic, 9 Cruz (14 Vieira 55).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 7 Figo, 18 Crespo, 28 Maniche, 29 Suazo.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Referee: De Bleeckere (Belgium).

Booked: Chivu 4, Materazzi 12.
Sent off: Materazzi 30.

starting lineups

substitutes