Klopp joins Ferguson and Wenger in elite Champions League group

Jurgen Klopp became the eighth manager in history to record 50 wins in the Champions League as Liverpool defeated Inter Milan on Wednesday night.

The Reds left it late but emerged from San Siro with a 2-0 first-leg victory thanks to goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

Firmino came off the bench at half-time to nod the visitors in front from Andy Robertson's corner in the 75th minute before Salah's deflected shot doubled the lead.

The result means Liverpool already have one foot in the quarter-finals, as they will be confident of building on their commanding advantage during the return leg at Anfield in early March.

In the meantime, Klopp can revel in another Champions League feat which sees him join the likes of Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsenal icon Arsene Wenger in an elite group of managers.

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The five others to rack up a half-century of victories in the competition are Pep Guardiola Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal and Rafa Benitez.

It is the latest European achievement for Klopp, who led Liverpool to their sixth continental crown in 2019 after they fell short against Real Madrid in the previous year's final.

However, his Champions League journey began while he was in charge at Borussia Dortmund, during which he finished as runner-up to Bayern Munich in 2013.

As well as reaching the milestone of 50 victories in the competition, Klopp led Liverpool to a 100 per cent record in this season's group stage, marking the first time an English club has achieved the feat.

Therefore, the victory over Inter was their seventh consecutive European win, setting a new club record and equalling the English record held by Manchester City.

While it was another historic night for Liverpool on the grand stage, Klopp admitted his side "did not have a brilliant day" due to their sloppiness in possession.

"They (Inter) came up a bit with the direct play and their switches to the wing-backs," Klopp told BT Sport after the match.

"We didn't defend that too well and our full-backs were alone in a one-on-one situation. It doesn't work properly like that.

"In a game like this you have to keep the ball longer and that didn't happen often enough. But you cannot come here and hope you have a brilliant day and that is the only chance to get a result.

"We did not have a brilliant day but a good enough day to be a deserved winner because we scored two wonderful goals.

"Yes, they had their moments but mainly counter-attacks when we lost the ball in the wrong spaces."

Most Champions League games won as a manager

Sir Alex Ferguson: 102

Carlo Ancelotti: 94

Pep Guardiola: 91

Arsene Wenger: 86

Jose Mourinho: 81

Louis van Gaal: 57

Rafael Benitez: 53

Jurgen Klopp: 50