On this day: Liverpool take charge of Inter Milan tie

Barely a week of the 2007-08 season went by where Rafael Benitez's position as Liverpool manager wasn't scrutinised.

While the Spaniard had proven his credentials in Europe, he had struggled to secure the domestic success, particularly the Premier League title, that the Anfield faithful craved.

Indeed, by the time that Inter Milan visited for the first leg of a last-16 Champions League tie six years ago today, the Reds, in fifth, were 19 points adrift of leaders Arsenal, while on the previous weekend they had been knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Barnsley.

However, as it had done on previous occasions, European football provided some solace. Liverpool finished runners-up in the group stages behind Porto, whereas Roberto Mancini's side topped their table, meaning that the opening match of the tie was to be played on Merseyside.

© Getty Images

The hosts started brightly and only a smart save from Julio Cesar denied Sami Hyypia from giving them the lead with a powerful header.

Despite Liverpool's domination, opportunities were few and far between, although their chances of picking up a positive result were boosted in the 30th minute when former Everton defender Marco Materazzi was handed his second yellow card for another foul on Fernando Torres. The Inter centre-back was not happy with the decision, but he'd left his teammates to play the remaining hour a man light.

Benitez's side continued to play a cautious brand of football for the rest of the half, but after the restart they displayed a more adventurous mentality.

It appeared, though, that visiting keeper Cesar was not going to be beaten. The Brazilian international showed good reflexes to tip wide Torres's shot from close range, before Hyypia headed over and substitute Peter Crouch sent a volleyed effort off target.

© Getty Images

Just as it appeared that Liverpool would head for the San Siro having played out a 0-0 draw, they broke the deadlock in the 85th minute. Jermaine Pennant crossed for Dirk Kuyt, who found the roof of the net via a deflection. Then, as the match entered stoppage time, captain Steven Gerrard added a second with a trademark strike from distance to take charge of the tie.

"It's a very good win, but Inter are a good side so we have to be careful [in the second leg]. I was very pleased with the attitude of the players and supporters tonight. The team played well. We were trying to score all night, and to score two goals in the last few minutes was fantastic," said Benitez.

"They were well organised with ten men, difficult to break down and dangerous on the counter-attack. Of course we needed to win if we wanted to progress in the competition. We did that tonight as a team. The last two games were similar. Against Barnsley we created enough chances to win. Today we probably had fewer chances and scored two goals. We knew how important it was not to concede if we wanted to progress."

Mancini added: "Our biggest problem was playing with ten men. Playing with a numerical disadvantage against Liverpool made it very difficult. I wasn't at all surprised they gave a good performance as the Champions League is very important to them - it's all they have left to play for."

LIVERPOOL: Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Aurelio; Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas (Crouch), Babel (Pennant), Kuyt; Torres

INTER: Cesar; Maicon, Cordoba (Burdisso), Materazzi, Chivu; Zanetti, Stankovic, Cambiasso, Maxwell, Cruz (Vieira); Ibrahimovic