Vintage Reds
Klopp’s never-say-die gladiators show their mettle on a night to remember
BY JOHN CROSS Chief Football Writer NOW this feels like destiny after another incredible night in the Eternal City.
A night never to be forgotten, a night to go down in Liverpool folklore and a night when Jurgen Klopp took this great club another step towards a sixth European Cup.
It was an astonishing game, Liverpool were fearless and brave to ensure this was never about avoiding another Roma comeback. They went to the ancient city famous for its Gladiators and went for the jugular.
The fact they went through in the Stadio Olimpico where they won the trophy in 1984 only plays into their sense of destiny and European history.
The scoreline looks misleading but Liverpool were never in real danger despite the Italians getting to within one goal of an incredible comeback as Roma got their fourth with virtually the last kick.
They lost on the night but thrilled us all and this will go down as another unforgettable European night packed with high drama. They will go to Kiev on May 26 to face Real Madrid and have no fear because this Liverpool team does not care about other teams and their reputation. All Klopp wants to do is write a new page in Liverpool’s history.
It was breathless at times and, as loud as it was, the noise and sea of red and yellow never looked like intimidating Liverpool. They have too much belief behind them.
The mighty Barcelona crumbled in Rome as they blew a three-goal first-leg lead in the quarter-finals and, while Liverpool do not have as much experience in their current squad, they have a European pedigree which seems to be guiding them forward.
At times it was nervous at the back for them – you would expect nothing else -–but you somehow knew they were always going to score and put the game beyond Roma.
Klopp’s philosophy is about attack being the best form of defence and that was what Liverpool were all about in Rome.
Sadio Mane was magnificent, he spearheaded the attack and, even though it was a whiteknuckle ride at times for the 5,000 travelling Liverpool fans, it was an incredibly entertaining one as well.
Liverpool’s first goal was a gift after nine minutes and it settled the nerves.
Radja Nainggolan’s woeful pass gave the ball straight to Roberto Firmino.
He raced forward and, with a perfect pass, released Mane on the left edge of the box and the Brazilian drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.
Roma’s task became even harder and a little bit of hope was sucked out of the stadium.
But we should never expect it to be completely straightforward with Liverpool.
Roma got one back after 16
minutes when Stephan El Shaarawy headed across goal, Dejan Lovren’s sliced clearance hit James Milner and the ball cannoned back into his own net. But that never looked like striking fear into Liverpool’s hearts. In fact, it just inspired them to go again.
Milner’s 26th-minute corner caused mayhem in the Roma box, Edin Dzeko headed back towards his own goal and Georginio Wijnaldum cleverly guided a header into the net.
The Liverpool party was back on in the crazy, topsy-turvy rollercoaster of a game. Roma equalised after 52 minutes when Liverpool keeper Loris Karius parried El Shaarawy’s shot straight into the path of Dzeko who smashed home.
Eventually Roma got their third after 86 minutes as Nainggolan smashed a 20-yard shot in off the post.
Roma got a fourth to go within a goal of taking it to extra time after Ragnar Klavan handled the ball and Nainggolan smashed home the penalty. But the whistle went straight after the restart.
There is no doubting Liverpool are vulnerable in defence but few teams would dare to come to Rome and play with three forwards.
And Klopp’s philosophy will strike fear even into Real Madrid.
Never mind that the Spaniards are going for their third straight Champions League glory.
Even Cristiano Ronaldo will know Liverpool will take some stopping in their quest for European history.