HERNAN Crespo says Inter-Milan are suffering from a Liverpool hangover.

He admitted last Tuesday's defeat to the Reds in the Champions League had been a factor in their failure to beat Sampdoria on Sunday.

The Nerazzurri were fortunate to get a point against a strong Sampdoria side with the Argentinian's goal in the 76th minute, cancelling out a 65th-minute opener from the lively Antonio Cassano.

The home side looked far fresher and brighter throughout and pushed the defending champions to the limit, almost inflicting their first Serie A defeat of the season - just days after they went down 2-0 at Liverpool.

And Crespo believes Inter are so used to winning games that it came as a shock to return empty-handed from Merseyside, and this is why they dropped two points in Genoa.

'Obviously, when we lose only the second game in the last seven months, then we do get a bit nervous,' he said.

'It is not something we are used to doing, reacting after a defeat.'

Milan coach Roberto Mancini admitted his players were not in top condition after the exertions in the Champions League.

TIRED

He said: 'There was a bit of tiredness in the first half, but the positive thing is we improved in the second.

'My team showed that they can fight.'

Inter appeared to be not only physically tired, but also mentally, and dropping two points in Genoa allowed Roma to move to within nine points at the top of Serie A.

Roma were the only team to defeat the Nerazzurri during the whole of last season, and they are Inter's next opponents tomorrow, although Mancini does not believe that game will decide the destiny of the Scudetto this season.

'It is an important game, first against second, but whether we win, lose or draw will not change anything,' said Mancini.

'Every game is going to be a fight for us and we are going to have to fight right to the very end.'

On Crespo's diving-header goal, Mancini said: 'It's a goal that will improve his confidence. When he starts scoring, he doesn't stop.'

Nevertheless, having a nine-point lead over their nearest rivals does allow Mancini to rest several of his regular first-team players.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed out on Sunday, and is doubtful for Wednesday's top-of-the-table clash due to a niggling knee injury.

The Sweden international will continue to be rested as a precautionary measure until the Nerazzurri turn their attention to the second leg with Liverpool.

But as Mancini insisted over the weekend, the next three Serie A games have top priority.

'We cannot think of Liverpool yet,' he said.

'We will only think about them in a fortnight.'

- PA Sport.