Liverpool produced a professional display to beat Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League – and Arne Slot has Curtis Jones to thank for helping set the tone for victory.Inter Milan 0-1 LiverpoolChampions League (6) | San SiroDecember 9, 2025Goal: Szoboszlai pen 88′1. A crucial win for Liverpool and for SlotOK, so Liverpool didn’t exactly storm the San Siro, but in the context of their recent run of form, this was a huge, huge win.Slot has recently set the Reds up to ensure they are involved in games in which little happens and, while that hasn’t quite worked in the Premier League it is arguably the perfect approach to these tough Champions League away games.It certainly looked it here, with the visitors not only becoming the first team to beat Inter on home soil in Europe’s premier cup competition in three years, but also deserving it.They took 12 shots to the hosts’ nine, and five shots on target to their two, while edging the non-penalty xG count 0.68 to 0.43.Yes, there was a little fortune in getting that spot-kick, but who could argue Slot’s side hadn’t earned it? 2. Gravenberch closer to his bestThat Liverpool were so solid owed much to the work done in central midfield, with Ryan Gravenberch key to that.The Dutchman hasn’t been at his best of late, but looked back to that as he showed excellence on both sides of the ball in Italy.He clocked up five interceptions to help prevent Inter from making anything worthwhile of their moments of control.Gravenberch also provided seven passes into the final third and completed two dribbles, with his trademark slaloms through the centre ensuring Liverpool could progress with ease. 3. Curtis Jones steps upGravenberch was also aided by truly brilliant performance from the man alongside him, Jones.You come to expect it now, but the Scouser completed the most passes (67) and had the highest accuracy (96%) of anyone who played a significant role at the San Siro on Tuesday evening.He also won five of his seven duels including three out of three dribble attempts as part of a masterful, rounded midfield performance.The only concern about Jones is the regular niggling injuries he picks up but, as this showing proved, there are no worries over his quality. 4. Why can’t UEFA speed up handball decisions?It is almost irrelevant whether you believe Ibrahima Konate‘s headed goal should have been allowed or not given that, if UEFA want to have a low bar for interventions on handball there is nothing that can be done.But if European football’s governing body want to take that zero-tolerance stance, then how can it take five minutes to reach a decision on such a moment as it did tonight?It was obvious from the moment that replays showed the ball striking Hugo Ekitike‘s arm – inadvertently, of course – the goal would not stand.So please, leave the referee in the middle, rule the goal out quickly, and let’s get back to the game rather than watching players standing around looking puzzled. 5. Reds significantly boost their top-eight hopesAside from earning the manager some breathing room, this victory also provided a huge boost to Liverpool’s chances of reaching the next stage of the Champions League.They now sit in the top eight, on track to avoid a playoff – an outcome that looked like a pipedream after defeat to PSV Eindhoven.And they have a chance to seal that across the two remaining games: a tricky trip to Marseille and home tie against Qarabag.That playing in this way seems to suit this competition will give hopes that Slot and Co. can salvage this season with a deep run.