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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Mark Wakefield

Rafa Benitez sends formation warning to Liverpool ahead of Inter Milan clash

Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has issued a warning over Inter Milan to the Reds.

Liverpool are due to take on Inter in their round of 16 tie in the Champions League, with the first leg taking place at the San Siro on Wednesday night.

The Italian club won Serie A last season, and are currently second in the table and are currently in second place and one point behind leaders and local rivals AC Milan.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have already been to the San Siro earlier this season when they faced AC Milan in the group stage, where they won 2-0 thanks to goals from Divock Origi and Mohamed Salah.

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Benitez, who was most recently sacked from his job as Everton manager, has issued a warning to Liverpool of the threat that Inter will pose.

The Spaniard had a brief stint in charge of Inter in 2010, and believes their emphasis on tactics could be a problem for Liverpool.

“Two teams with similar numbers will face each other: in terms of goals scored, shots on goal and possession are superior to the other formations in their respective leagues,” Benitez told Corriere dello Sport .

“Liverpool will have on their side the strength and intensity that characterise all Premier League matches; Inter will focus on tactics, which reign supreme in Italy, to highlight the shortcomings of the opponents.

Rafa continued: “Inter did not reach the second round by chance: they are a team that always knows what to do on the pitch and is good at taking advantage of the weaknesses of others.

“His (manager Simone Inzaghi) 3-5-2 can create difficulties for teams that are not used to facing him.

“On the other hand, however, there is a Liverpool with an offensive 4-3-3, which makes aggression and intensity its best weapons.

“I don't expect a double confrontation with a predictable outcome, but two interesting matches in which whoever has control of the ball will prevail.

“Both have the quality and technique to hold the ball and make the others run.”

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