Liverpool hosted As Roma in the first leg clash of the Champions League semi-finals. Both the teams have come on the back of big results as they were relatively underdogs in their previous clash in the Quarter Finals.
The Merseyside club ran into a five-goal lead but their sheen was taken away by two Roma goals deep into the second half.
Roma were off the blocks quickly as they enjoyed plenty of possession in the first 20-25 minutes. They came hard at Liverpool and pressed them down. As a result, The English side couldn’t play from the back and started playing long balls which caused the downfall of Roma as The Reds were able to pick there front three on a consistent basis through those long balls. The first half can be divided into two parts as Liverpool showed their dominance in the next 20 mins and completely bombarded Roma’s goal. Mane and Lovren missed easy chances and it was left to the usual suspect who opened the score for The Merseyside club. Salah scored a brilliant goal down the right side after cutting outside on his left foot. Liverpool scored again, this time on a typical counter-attacking move as Firmino played the Egyptian a brilliant through ball and Salah did what Mane earlier couldn’t do as he just dinked the ball over incoming Alisson.
The second half started where Liverpool had left off as it seemed that the Italian outfit were shell-shocked as Liverpool mustered up one attack after another. They soon extended the lead as Mane scored a tap in from close range as Salah served a perfect pass in his path. Salah turned the provider again this time for his Brazilian team-mate Roberto Firmino. The forward soon got his second as he scored a header from the corner. Roma got some hope back in the tie as they scored 2 goals between 80-85th-minute mark. Nevertheless, Liverpool will be travelling to Rome with a healthy lead and will be expected to see off their opponents but one cannot count out the Italian side.
We look at how the Liverpool players fared in an entertaining 5-2 win for the Merseyside club.
Loris Karius: 6/10
Couldn’t have done much for the goals he conceded. Almost made a meal of Kolarov’s ferocious attempt in the first half but overall a secure performance from the German stopper.
Andy Robertson: 6/10
Was his usual self at the back. Provided some good crosses and could have easily had an assist as Wijnaldum missed a golden opportunity when the score was 5-1.
Virgil Van Dijk: 7/10
Assured performance from the big centre back. Add to that he played some good long balls and was able to pick his teammates at the right spot.
Dejan Lovren: 4.5/10
Was at fault for Roma’s first goal as he misjudged the flight off the ball and that created space for Dzeko to control the ball and score from close range.
Trent Alexander Arnold: 6.5/10
Made a rash challenge early on in the game. Provided some brilliant passes down the right which set Salah free. Had a decent game overall.
Jordan Henderson: 7/10
Was his usual dogged self. Inspired the team when Liverpool were pegged back early in the first half. Kept nicking the ball from Roma midfielders and kept the game ticking in midfield.
James Milner: 6/10
Another immense performance from the experienced midfielder but was slightly unlucky to concede the penalty as he couldn’t have done much to avoid the handball in the box.
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain: N/A
Had a shot at goal which was saved comfortably by Alisson. But his night was cut short as he suffered a nasty collision of shins with Kolarov which led to him being substituted around the 15-minute mark.
Sadio Mane: 5/10
Got his goal but clearly had an off night as he wasted two glorious chances. Was uncertain sometimes in his linkup play and seemed to lack confidence after the miss in the first half.
Mohamed Salah: 10/10
What a night for the Egyptian as he had a hand in every one of Liverpool’s goals as he scored two and assisted three. Hardly put a foot wrong in the game and showed how important he is for Liverpool, as after he was substituted, Roma were able to get back into the game.
Roberto Firmino: 9/10
The major plaudits will be taken away by Mohamed Salah and rightly so but along with him, the Brazilian was brilliant upfront. His linkup play and his little flicks were too hard to contain for the Roma defenders. Got his two goals in the second half but it was his linkup play and intelligent pressing upfront which won the day for Liverpool.
Substitutes
Georginio Wijnaldum: 6/10
Had to come into the action out of the blue as he replaced Chamberlain. But credit to him as he was up to the mark as soon as he came on. However, missed a glorious chance in the second half to extend Liverpool’s lead further.
Danny Ings: N/A
Was brought in to give some rest to Mohamed Salah. Didn’t play enough to impact the game.
Ragnar Klavan: N/A
Was brought on late to eat some time off the clock and gave Firmino some much-needed respite.
