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Champions League: Liverpool welcome Roma to Anfield – Semifinal first leg

By Shanith de Mel

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 946302214 and 877562988) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool (L) and Head Coach of AS Roma Eusebio Di Francesco. Liverpool and A.S. Roma meet in one of the UEFA Champions League Semi Finals over two legs. ***LEFT IMAGE*** LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpoo looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on April 14, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 22: Eusebio Di Francesco, coach of AS Roma looks on during the UEFA Champions League group C match between Atletico Madrid and AS Roma at Wanda Metropolitano on November 22, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 946302214 and 877562988) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool (L) and Head Coach of AS Roma Eusebio Di Francesco. Liverpool and A.S. Roma meet in one of the UEFA Champions League Semi Finals over two legs. ***LEFT IMAGE*** LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpoo looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on April 14, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 22: Eusebio Di Francesco, coach of AS Roma looks on during the UEFA Champions League group C match between Atletico Madrid and AS Roma at Wanda Metropolitano on November 22, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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LIVERPOOL

Liverpool are likely to continue with a similar formula to that which has given them so much success this season already. The front three is settled and virtually certain to be Firmino, Salah and Mane.

Lovren and the rock-solid van Dijk will likely make up the centre-back pairing, while Trent Alexander-Arnold will likely return to the right-back slot. Captain Jordan Henderson is available again following his 1 match suspension and is expected to slot straight back in to the middle.

AS Roma

Defrel and Karsdorp are certain absentees through knee injuries, but manager Eusebio Di Francesco is keeping quiet about the rest of the lineup.

He has confirmed in the pre-match press-conference that he is yet to choose between a 3 or 4 man defence. With the attacking threat Liverpool pose, expect a 3 man back line with Reds target Alisson between the sticks.

As ever, Dzeko, Nainggolan, Kolarov and captain Daniele de Rossi will almost certainly start for the Romans.

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Score Prediction

Interestingly, both teams have been imperious at home, with Liverpool currently on a 5 game unbeaten home run and Roma currently undefeated at the Stadio Olimpico in Europe.

However, Roma’s away form in the UCL has been patchy to say the least, having only won away at Qarabag – that too was a tense 2-1 affair. Despite containing a solid defence, Roma will face a daunting task unlike anything they’ve come up against this season.

Liverpool’s front three will likely prove too strong at home again, but don’t rule out a Roma away goal either. Nevertheless, expect former Roma player Salah and his new teammates to win comfortably.

Final score prediction:

Liverpool 3-1 Roma
Venue: Anfield Stadium

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