Tension simmers as Reds head for Rome
Liverpool return to the scene of two of their most famous European triumphs amid tight security ahead of tonight’s Champions League semifinal, second leg in Rome.
Juergen 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.
But off-pitch tensions are high as Liverpool fan Sean Cox lies in a coma after being attacked before last week’s first leg in Anfield.
Klopp’s side are bidding for a sixth European title having won two, in 1977 and 1984, at the Stadio Olimpico – the latter 4-2 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.
Buvac, who was on the bench with Klopp for Saturday’s goalless draw against Stoke, has been the German’s trusted right-hand man for the last 17 years.
Added to the distractions is star striker Salah’s image-rights dispute with the Egyptian football association.
The Roma game also comes days before Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea in the Premier League.
The club won the last of their 18 Premier League titles 28 years ago.
Since then the Reds lifted the Champions League trophy in 2005, when they fought back to stun AC Milan on penalties after conceding three first-half goals in Istanbul, and two years later they lost to the Italians in Athens.
Klopp will miss midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, out for the season with a knee injury, with Georginio Wijnaldum likely to be the only change from the first leg.
Emre Can (back) and Adam Lallana (hamstring) are also struggling with injuries.
Eusebio di Francesco looks set to be without Kevin Strootman as Roma target just their second final – 34 years after that fateful defeat to Liverpool. –