Rio Ferdinand says three Liverpool players were absolutely ‘immense’ against Inter

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Rio Ferdinand has singled three Liverpool players out for their “immense” performances against Inter Milan on Wednesday.

The Reds ran out 2-0 winners over the Italian champions in their Champions League last-16 first leg at the San Siro.

Despite Liverpool being very much the better side for most of the first half, they couldn’t break the deadlock.

However, Inter hit the ground running in the second half and had the Reds under the cosh time and time again.

Jurgen Klopp made a triple substitution on the hour in a bid to gain back control of the game.

Naby Keita, Luis Diaz and Jordan Henderson came on for Sadio Mane, Fabinho and Harvey Elliott.

Klopp’s decision paid dividends as Liverpool finally broke the deadlock in the 75th minute.

Roberto Firmino connected with Andrew Robertson’s corner to flick the ball into the far corner of the net.

And eight minutes later, Liverpool got their second.

Virgil van Dijk headed the ball down from a free-kick and Konate did well to move out the way near the penalty spot as Salah rifled home.

Speaking after the game, Ferdinand lauded Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Fabinho for their heroics to keep Inter at bay.

“I think 2-0 probably flatters them,” Ferdinand told BT Sport – as transcribed by BBC Sport – after the game.

“But the bedrock of most performances away from home in this stage of the Champions League is a good defence and today that was true for Liverpool.

“The two centre-backs were immense, Fabinho too.

“You have to weather storms in games.

“They had long spells where they were under the cosh but they have that experience to navigate through games and wait for the opportunities that they got.”