Liverpool never seems to do things the easy way when it comes to the Champions League yet often find a way to prevail.
That was the case again on Wednesday night in the Stadio Olimpico as despite scoring two away goals to lead the tie 7-3 on aggregate, Liverpool managed to make the last 30 minutes of the match an anxious watch for their fans. However, having conceded a late penalty which put Roma just one goal away from forcing the match into extra-time, Liverpool saw out the final few seconds to win the tie 7-6 and qualify for the Champions League final.
All eyes were on the return of Mohamed Salah, as the Egyptian played in Rome for the first time following his move away from the club in the summer.
source: The Bridge News
The Liverpool forward has been in sparkling form this season and scored two goals plus created chances for his teammates in the first leg. It was Salah’s individual brilliance which opened the scoring in that match and gained Liverpool the foothold, not only in the match but the tie and left them in a commanding 5-2 lead heading into the second leg. The second leg was always going to be tough, especially as Roma showed they can defeat the best in Europe on their day, having defeated Barcelona 3-0 in the previous round. Liverpool was going to be a threat on the counter-attack in this game and Salah was expected to lead the charge. However, Salah did not have the impact Liverpool fans were hoping for and the forward was below his best for much of the match.
While the Roma players were happy to talk about Salah as being their former teammate and the respect which both they and Salah had for each other, it did not take long for the home players to get stuck into the Egyptian.
source: ESPN.com
Daniele De Rossi was the main culprit in the early stages and didn’t hold back when in going for a challenge close to the half-way line. There was almost a look of shock on Salah’s face as De Rossi left something on his former teammate and Salah eventually picked himself up from the floor.
The slow-motion replay showed it was a clear foul and De Rossi seemed intent on laying down an early marker in the game. There were going to be no friendly rivalries in this match, it was every man for himself and so it proved throughout the pulsating 90 minutes.
It would be unfair to say the occasion got to Salah, as he has risen to such occasions during the season. Perhaps the most alarming thing for himself and Liverpool was how tired he looked towards the end of the match.
With important Premier League fixtures to come away to Chelsea and home to Brighton and Hove Albion, there will be little rest for Salah ahead of what is going to be a thrilling Champions League final.
