& RUTHLESS
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 straightforward with Liverpool.
The Italians pulled one back after 15 minutes when Stephen 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 on the night in 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 in 86 minutes as Nainggolan smashed a 20-yard shot in off the post.
And they found 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.
That is Klopp’s philosophy and it will strike fear even into the mighty Real Madrid.
Never mind that Los Blancos are going for a third straight Champions League glory. Even Cristiano Ronaldo will know Liverpool will take some stopping in their one quest for European history.