Salah-Messi takes Liverpool to verge of Champions League final
Two goals and two assists helped the Reds smash Roma 5-2 at Anfield
Mohamed Salah’s sensational season continued as he helped Liverpool thrash Roma 5-2 at Anfield in the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday and put one foot in the final in Kiev.
LIV
5 ________________ 2
ROM
LINE UP
Liverpool
Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain (Wijnaldum, 17'), Henderson, Milner; Salah (Ings, 74'), Firmino (Klavan, 92'), Mané.
Roma
Alisson; Florenzi, Fazio, Manolas, Juan Jesus (Perotti, 66'), Kolarov; De Rossi (Gonalons, 66'), Strootman; Ünder (Schick, 46'), Nainggolan; Dzeko.
Goles
1-0 M. 35 Salah. 2-0 M. 45 Salah. 3-0 M. 55 Mané. 4-0 M. 61 Firmino. 5-0 M. 68 Firmino. 5-1 M. 81 Dzeko. 5-2 M. 84 Perotti, de penalti.
Árbitro
Felix Brych (Alemania). TA: Alexander-Arnold (38'), Lovren (73') y Henderson (86') / Juan Jesus (26') y Fazio (87').
Incidencias
Anfield. 54.074 espectadores.
The Egyptian winger hit two goals and two assists as the hosts ran riot and scored five goals in the opening 68 minutes against a shellshocked Roma.
It was only after Salah, who has 43 goals in all competitions this season since joining from the Italian side, went off, that the visitors improved.
Edin Dzeko and Diego Perotti, from the penalty spot, gave Roma a fighting chance of progressing — after all they beat Barcelona 3-0 in Rome to get to this stage, and the same result would do for them again.
However if Salah keeps playing like Leo Messi, it’s hard to see Liverpool not striking in the Italian capital next Wednesday.
Salah’s first goal was a special curler into the top corner and his second was a neat chip over the goalkeeper after racing through on goal.
He was given a standing ovation by Liverpool fans when he went off with 15 minutes to go, although they weren’t expecting Roma’s late comeback…
