Inter vs Liverpool: Inzaghi seeks UCL upset against Reds
The Inter boss knows the Reds pose a "lethal" threat with their intensity
Manager Simone Inzaghi has delivered a rousing message to his Inter Milan stars as they set out to cause an upset against Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16
Inzaghi will demand Inter Milan play with a "free mind" and "determination" as they host Liverpool in the first leg of a mouth-watering Champions League encounter.
The Inter boss knows the Reds pose a "lethal" threat with their intensity, but he is confident his side can overcome the odds to progress beyond the last 16 for the first time in 11 years.
Liverpool visit San Siro on Wednesday night and they are heavily fancied to reach the quarter-finals despite their tricky draw against the defending Serie A champions.
Jurgen Klopp 's men are in brilliant vein of form having won their last six games in all competitions, whereas Inter have only recorded three victories during the same spell.
While Inzaghi knows his side face a huge test to knock out the six-time European champions, he insists his players have the mentality and ability to cause an upset.
"I think that English clubs are very strong, they've all won their groups aside from Chelsea," the 45-year-old said, per Football Italia.
"Liverpool are one of the best teams in Europe, but our lads deserve to play these kinds of games. We haven't played in the round of 16 for many years and although it will be very difficult, we'll try to make it.
"On paper, Liverpool are the favourite, but games must be played.
"I'll ask the lads to go on the pitch and play our football with a free mind, showing our ideas. Determination will make the difference."
Inzaghi followed-up his rousing message for the Inter squad with an honest assessment of the star-studded Liverpool side they must try to contain.
"We watched Liverpool's matches, the ones against [AC] Milan and the most recent ones," he added.
"They have a deep squad, a great coach, they are intense, so we need to do well every time, both when we have the ball and when we defend.
"Liverpool can be lethal in counter-attacks. Their full-backs have almost the same quality as two Regista [playmakers], so they can create trouble for us everywhere on the pitch."
Liverpool defeated Inter's local rivals Milan twice in the group stages, winning 3-2 at Anfield in September and 2-1 at San Siro three months later.
