Klopp: My Gladiators are ready
No team has ever overturned a 5-2 first-leg defeat away from home in the European Cup/Champions League. The first leg produced the joint-most goals of any Champions League semifinal game (also seven when Ajax beat Bayern Munich 5-2 in 1995). Liverpool are yet to lose to Roma in the European Cup/ Champions League in four meetings (W2 D2), with one of those draws in the 1984 final (1-1), which Liverpool won 4-2 on penalties. This is Liverpool’s 10th appearance in the semifinals of the European Cup – they have progressed to the final on seven occasions. Roma are appearing in their first European semi-final for 27 years, when they faced Brondby in the UEFA Cup in 1990/91. Roma are the only team yet to concede a goal at home in the Champions League this season (5 games). Liverpool are still the only unbeaten side in the Champions League this season (W7 D4). The Reds have scored 38 goals in this season’s competition, the most by an English team in a single Champions League campaign. Liverpool are the first side in Champions League history to see three players score 8 goals or more in a single season (Salah 10, Firmino 10, Mane 8). Mo Salah has scored in his last five Champions League starts for Liverpool, a feat only Steven Gerrard had previously achieved. FROM BACK PAGE will not make the same mistakes as Barcelona and blow their first-leg lead.
Klopp said: “We are here to fight for our dreams – and we want to go to the final.
“It is great that the boys have given us a chance after their performances in this Champions League campaign.”
Klopp admitted he is on red-alert after Roma overturned a three-goal, first-leg deficit in the last round against Barcelona.
“Roma was more ready than Barcelona,” he said. “Barcelona probably thought it was decided.
“I didn’t need a warning, but, if a warning was needed, it was a warning. I can’t say it is not possible.
“If Roma win 3-0 or higher, then congratulations – go to the final. I don’t think we are through yet, but I don’t think we are in a bad situation.
“We are in a better situation than I could have imagined – but not perfect as perfect would mean the game is already over.
“Rome didn’t concede a goal at home in the Champions League, we didn’t lose in the Champions League. What does that mean? If that goes on, we’ll be through.”