Dominik Szoboszlai's 88th-minute penalty gave Liverpool a crucial win against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Much of the build-up to the clash was dominated by the exclusion of Mohamed Salah from the Reds squad after he claimed the club had "thrown him under the bus" and his relationship with manager Arne Slot had broken down.

And with the Egypt forward left back in Liverpool, Szoboszlai stepped up to take the decisive late spot-kick after Alessandro Bastoni was adjudged, following a video assistant referee (VAR) check, to have tugged at the shirt of Florian Wirtz in the box.

Inter keeper Yann Sommer dived the right way, but the power of the penalty proved too much and Liverpool held on for a welcome three points after a turbulent few days at the club.

After a worrying run of nine defeats in 12 games, Slot's side are now unbeaten in four.

The Reds have 12 points from their six Champions League ties and victory here propelled them into the top eight of the league phase, where automatic qualification to the last 16 is guaranteed.

Inter dropped down to fifth, on the same points tally, as they suffered a first home defeat in 19 matches in the competition - since September 2022 against Bayern Munich.

Liverpool thought they had taken a 32nd-minute lead when Ibrahima Konate headed in from a corner.

But referee Felix Zwayer disallowed the goal after a lengthy VAR check as the ball struck the arm of striker Hugo Ekitike before the ball found Konate to nod in from close range.

Curtis Jones, Szoboszlai and Ekitike all forced Sommer to make saves in an opening half where Inter lost Piotr Zielinski and Yann Aurel Bisseck to injuries.

The disallowed goal seemed to spark the hosts and Nicolo Barella came close as his free-kick went narrowly wide, before Lautaro Martinez's header was kept out by Alisson Becker.

The game looked to be heading towards a goalless draw which would have been a first under Slot's tenure, but Wirtz - who replaced Alexander Isak in the 68th minute - made the most of Bastoni's pull.

Szoboszlai's calm finish for his second goal in successive games ensured that, for the fourth time in four years, Liverpool would be leaving the San Siro with success.

Away from the Salah saga, Slot decided to alter things as Liverpool started in a 4-1-2-1-2 shape with a diamond in midfeld.

They started well, keeping the ball and moving it with intent in a notable shift in tempo from previous games, with Jones at the heartbeat.

For just the second time this season, Isak and Ekitike started together as Slot made four changes from the side that drew 3-3 at Leeds, with Wirtz dropped to the bench.

Isak struggled with the physicality of Inter's defence and finished the first half limping, but Ekitike again posed a threat, buoyed by his double at Leeds. Nevertheless, the pair simply didn't link up enough before Isak was replaced by Wirtz.

With Salah's future uncertain and Cody Gakpo set to spend a "few weeks" on the sidelines, that's a connection that needs to be forged sooner rather than later.

But, ultimately, this was a night where Liverpool showed their spirit and togetherness. It was a vital victory for the under-pressure Slot and his players, and joy for the 4,400-strong travelling support high up in the stands at the San Siro.

Liverpool host Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00 GMT), with a trip to Marseille next in the Champions League on Wednesday, 21 January (20:00 GMT).

Inter Milan host Arsenal in their next European tie on Tuesday, 20 January (20:00 GMT).