Chivu: Liverpool possess a lot of quality even without Salah

Inter boss Cristian Chivu insisted that Liverpool would be able to maintain a high level of performance without Mohamed Salah ahead of their Champions League clash.

Salah caused a stir following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday after being left on the bench for the third successive match.

The Egyptian, who is the Reds’ all-time top scorer in the Champions League with 45 goals in 78 games, suggested that the club had “thrown him under the bus” this season.

And ahead of welcoming Arne Slot’s team to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Tuesday, Liverpool confirmed that Salah was not a part of their 19-man travelling squad.

Chivu has since had his say on the situation, but believes that despite Liverpool’s underwhelming start to 2025-26, they can still cause his team problems.

“We all know what he [Salah] represents for Liverpool and for the world of football,” Chivu told reporters on Monday via TMW.

“It’s not my concern. I know that they have players who can replace him, and that Liverpool will therefore maintain a high level as they always have done throughout their history.

“We’re talking about teams, not individuals. That is why we have to worry about what the group does, not about individuals. They have a lot of quality.”

The Reds have named a 19-man squad for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Internazionale:

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 8, 2025

Inter come into the match with confidence after recording three consecutive wins in all competitions, with their last defeat coming to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Indeed, since losing their first two Champions League home matches of 2022 – one of which was against Liverpool (0-2) – Inter have gone unbeaten in their last 18 home matches in the competition (W15 D3), the longest current streak in UEFA’s flagship tournament.

Inter and Liverpool have faced each other on six previous occasions – all in the European Cup/Champions League – with the Reds winning four of the six to date (L2).

“They [Liverpool] are a team who make ‘intensity’ their motto, it’s a part of their identity,” Chivu added.

“Klopp brought it, Slot is trying to keep that and has succeeded, given that he won the Premier League.

“They started well, they’ve had a few difficulties since, but they’re a team that’s built for this sort of game. We know what they bring on the pitch, individually and collectively.

“We want to be like them, but they are born that way. They have a history and culture, linked to what football represents in England, which is different to how it is in Italy.

“Not better or worse, just different, and it leads to a certain approach.”

And asked whether Inter were well-equipped to face a team like Liverpool, Chivu responded: “We’ll see.

“Everything is easy when you say it, it looks easy on the whiteboard and on the screens too. The problem is turning those words into strength on the pitch.

“We all know about Liverpool’s intensity, the quality they have individually and collectively.”