Reds on brink of final as tension grips Rome Roma gunning for another ‘miracle’
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Chasing their first final since 2007, Liverpool will play Roma amid tight security after 1st leg violence
ROME: Liverpool return to the scene of two of their most famous European triumphs amid tight security ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final, second leg clash in Rome.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are on the brink of reaching the final of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 2007 as they look to defend a three-goal advantage against AS Roma in the Italian capital.
But off-pitch tensions are high as Liverpool supporter Sean Cox lies in a coma after being attacked before last week’s first leg in Anfield. Two Roma supporters were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and club legend Francesco Totti has appealed for “fair play, hospitality and respect for our opponents”.
Around 5,000 Liverpool fans are expected to attend and authorities fear rival gangs could clash from Tuesday evening when many Reds fans begin arriving in the Italian capital.
HEAVY SECURITY
British police are in Rome backing up their Italian counterparts with city authorities saying 1,000 officers are being deployed around the Stadio Olimpico in addition to a further 2,000 throughout the city.
Furthermore, there will be a complete alcohol ban, as well as a huge crackdown on fake tickets.
Former Roma striker Mohamed Salah scored two brilliant goals and set up two more as Liverpool went five up at Anfield before two late goals gave Roma hope of a potential fightback.
Klopp’s side are bidding for a sixth European title having won two, in 1977 and 1984, at the Stadio Olimpico -- the latter on penalties against Roma. Both teams are third in their domestic leagues and in the running for Champions League football next season.
But Liverpool have suffered serious disruption in the buildup after Klopp’s right-hand man, Zeljko Buvac, dubbed “the brain” by the German, stepped aside for personal reasons this week.
Added to the distractions is star striker Salah’s image-rights dispute with the Egyptian foot- goals Salah has scored in the Champions League this season Salah has scored four in his last three Champions League games this season, including creating two and scoring two against Roma in the first-leg at Anfield. The Egyptian was also named as the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year on Tuesday, completing a personal double after winning the players' award for his 43 goals in 48 games for Liverpool in his first season at the club.
Liverpool’s front three of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have been pivotal to Liverpool’s success in Europe this season. All three have scored eight goals or more in the Champions League this season making Liverpool the first team in the history of the tournament to have three players to reach this mark.
The Reds have scored 38 goals in this season's competition, the most by an English team in a single Champions League campaign. Roma are the only team yet to concede a single goal at home in the Champions League this season from their five games at Stadio Olimpico. Having faced the likes of Barcelona (quarterfinal), Atletico and Chelsea in the group stages it is a noteworthy record. Roma have also won their past four such games at the Olimpico (including two by three clear goals). But have never won five in a row.
After shocking European giants Barcelona by coming back from three goals down, Roma will be hopeful of another possible recovery against the English team. But to do this, they must stop Salah and also beat Liverpool, who are the only unbeaten side in the Champions League this season having won seven and drawn four.
goals Salah, Mane and Firmino have scored in the CL this season, more than semifinalists Bayern Munich as well as Paris Saint-germain and Manchester City. ball association.
The Roma game also comes days before Liverpool clash with Chelsea in the Premier League.
“Liverpool always has to take the slightly more difficult way and it’s again like this,” said Klopp. “We created a basis and now we have to finish it.”
It’s a clash between two sides who have not won the domestic title in years. Liverpool won the last of their 18 Premier League titles 28 years ago.
Since then the Reds lifted the Champions league trophy in 2005, goals Dzeko has scored in the Champions League this season when they fought back to stun AC Milan on penalties after conceding three-first goals in Istanbul, and two years later when they lost to the Italians in Athens.
“Nothing is won so far,” warned Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino, looking towards Edin Dzeko has been Roma’s go- to-man when w under pressure th his season as pointed out o by Roma’s coach Eusebio E Di Francesco before b the clash. The Bosnian scored two goals against Barcelona in both legs, including the away goal at the Camp Nou that saw them through to the semifinals. Roma will depend on Dzeko’s composure while finishing, and his ability to hold the ball if they are to score three goals against Liverpool. If Roma are to progress tonight they will have to beat Liverpool by a margin of at least three goals. For Liverpool a draw or restricting Roma to only two goals will be enough. The only way the game can go to extra-time is if it ends 5-2 in favour of the home team. the May 26 final in Kiev. “There is a possibility of winning the Champions League - but we have a semi-final to finish first.”
“It would be a rare thing to do, a unique moment in our lives, in mine. It’s my first Champions League season.” ROME: AS Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco says his team must aim for a “miracle” against Liverpool with the Italian club trailing 5-2 ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal second leg.
Roma came back from a 4-1 deficit in their quarterfinal against Barcelona by winning the return leg in the Italian capital 3-0.
“We must have belief and with this mentality, with these fans and this passion around the team, try to perform another miracle - and saying miracle is perfectly fine,” Di Francesco told reporters on Tuesday.
“Liverpool are really dangerous and they can hurt you as soon as you give them an inch. I want to clarify one thing -- in a Champions League semi-final in front of 70,000 people, do you expect a team just to yield?
“No, we’ve got to be a battling team who give all they can - then the game can end 4-1 either way, but what I want to see is enthusiasm and desire to go beyond the limits,” he said.
Liverpool’s former Roma forward Mohamed Salah scored twice in the first leg and created two other goals as he ripped apart Di Francesco’s defence.
“Mohamed Salah has outstanding quality when they go long - but we can’t put three men on Salah. We’ve got to have the strength to put the right importance on our opponents, but also think of ourselves,” Di Francesco said, adding that his team needed a similar display from striker Edin Dzeko.
“The players have got to take responsibility - Dzeko even more so as one of the key players in this team. I hope he will be the man who - even more than Salah in the first leg - makes a difference in this game,” the Italian coach said.
“Our ambition should be to get to Kiev (for the final). I’ll try and treat this game like any other. I’ve passed on my ideas to the team and will convince them that this is achievable,” Di Francesco added.
SALAH WINS WRITERS’ FOOTBALLER AWARD
LONDON: Mohamed Salah was Tuesday named as the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year for 2017/18 after scoring 43 goals so far in an incredible debut season for Liverpool.
The Egypt international narrowly topped the poll of the 400strong FWA membership ahead of Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, the margin understood to be less than 20 votes. Tottenham striker Harry Kane was third.
FIRMINO EXTENSION IS FIRST OF MANY: KLOPP
LONDON: Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp is confident that many of his top players will follow the example of striker Roberto Firmino and extend their stays at the Premier League club.
Brazil international Firmino, who has scored 27 goals and provided 16 assists in 50 games this season, has signed a long-term contract at the Merseyside club.
“It’s unbelievably important news for us. Really cool,” Klopp said. “This is one very important step for us. Absolutely. But even Roberto cannot play alone. “In the moment every player knows about our plans. He’s the first but for sure he won’t be the last.”