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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Hannah Pinnock

'They'll punish you' - Inter Milan forward Edin Dzeko makes Liverpool admission after Champions League defeat

Inter Milan forward Edin Dzeko admits Liverpool are a team that will 'punish you' if you don't take your chances following Wednesday night's defeat at the San Siro.

The Reds take a healthy 2-0 lead back to Anfield after two late goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah earned a crucial victory in this Champions League round of 16 tie.

It wasn't a comfortable win for Jurgen Klopp's side by any means as Inter created chances of their own and put them under pressure for large periods.

Dzeko insists the hosts 'hardly gave anything away' prior to Firmino's opening header and says you must take your chances against a team like Liverpool.

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“What was missing was avoiding defeat. We played very well until we conceded," he said in an interview with Prime Video.

"We created a lot and barely let them create anything. We forced Liverpool into playing long balls. We hardly gave anything away until their goals.

“It’s a shame to concede from a corner, as we’re usually good at defending them. It can happen against top sides because they’ll punish you if you don’t score.

“We gave it our all. Each of us gave everything, but it wasn’t enough. We left the pitch with our heads held high, knowing that we’d given everything.

"It’s certainly not a positive result, but we have to believe until the end. Now we’ll focus on the league and then we’ll see.”

Liverpool welcome Simone Inzaghi's side to Anfield on March 8 for the second leg and will hope to book their spot in the quarter-final stage of the competition.

However, as the away goal rule no longer stands, there will still be plenty of hope within the Inter squad that they can get a result next month.

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