Liverpool FC V AS Roma FC
UEFA Champions League: Semifinals, Leg 1
Anfield, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
Tuesday, April 24th, 2018        2:45PM EST        FS1

Back in August, no one would have bet that one of the two UCL semifinals would see Liverpool pitted against Roma.  The Reds were in a two-legged tie against Hoffenheim in the UCL Play-off stage, scratching and clawing their liver bird hearts out to simply qualify for the Champions League Group stage.  Then, when matchday six began, the Reds had yet to secure a Knockout stage advancement in a rather weak group— a group that actually saw Saprtak Moscow atop the standings at that point.  But, once again they survived and advanced.  Then came the quarterfinal stage, and it was all but assured that this time the Reds’ luck would finally run out.  Though they had to face EPL Champions-elect Man City, Liverpool steamrolled the Cityzens to the tune of a 5-1 aggregate scoreline including wins home and away, and that was without Philippe Coutinho would had departed Merseyside in January.  It’s been an astounding European title run for the Reds.  The success can largely be attributed to the shocking emergence of one Mo Salah.  Not surprising in the sense that we knew he was a good talent, capable of changing matches with his blistering pace, as was evident during his time in the Italian capitol.  But it was eye-opening in the respect that Salah has produced a world class campaign, which has already seen him win the PFA Player of the Year Award, and very well may put him in the front row of the 2018 Ballon d’Or award show as a finalist along side Messi and Ronaldo.  In addition, Jurgen Klopp has done a masterful job with the Liver Birds since arriving at Anfield less than three years ago.  In his first full season, Klopp took a sleeping giant and stirred its cave, earning top-4 honors and the aforementioned Champions League qualification.  While Liverpool may have had frequent flyer miles for the UCL Final in the past, by now expired as the last decade has left them watching from the comfort of home. In just his second full year, Klopp has gotten Liverpool back on the door step, ready to renew their membership.

As for Roma, the Wolves have gone on an unlikely run as well, and at times may have been considered impossible.  It all began with a dreaded group stage draw that included Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea, along with bottom-feeders Qarabag.  On the surface, and without pause, it seemed as though everyone outside of Italy picked ATM and Chelsea to advance to the knockout phase with Roma assured third place and an Europa League birth.  But no, the Romans would not be denied.  Not only did they finish ahead of Atletico (who are now in the semifinals of the Europa League), they also finished ahead of the Blues, with the Wolves actually toping the group.  The departure of Salah didn't seem to hamper the Roma side, as they still had plenty of pace on the flanks in El Sharaaway and Perotti, not to mention a big-bodied bully of a center forward in Eden Dzeko playing up front through the middle.  A combination that indeed made the impossible possible against FC Barcelona. After leg 1 of Roma’s quarterfinal match against Barca, the Wolves were given just a 2% chance of winning the tie according to ESPNFC’s SPI.  The team was down 4-1 and needed a 3-0 result to beat an Azulgrana side that had been and is still unbeaten in La Liga and hadn’t lost in the UCL up to that point.  But of course, the Italians gave it their all and then some, as the squad fead off of an electric Stadio Olimpico crowd to take down mighty Barca 3-0.  With the third goal coming just eight minutes from time by an unlikely hero in Greek defender Kostas Manolas via a header from a corner, the match was dubbed La Romantada, spoofing Barca’s La Remontada from last season against PSG.

So, today we have a clash of unlikely participants, but certainly worthy ones as they’ve survived and advanced meat grinders of UCL campaigns. But who’ll come up big tonight?  And, who’ll leave Anfield with the edge after leg 1?  For Liverpool, it as to be Mo Salah.  Expect the Reds’ to gegenpress Roma from the jump, forcing the Wolves into turnovers within their own half.  In doing so, Salah will not only have opportunities to score, but will have more space to operate via the quick counter-attacks.  Conversely, Roma should aim to blister Liverpool with their speedy fullbacks and wingers, as the Wolves can wreak havoc on a much improved, but still shaky Reds’ backline.  

LSB Prediction

The Anfield crowd was simply magnificent in leg 1 of the quarterfinal.  Singing, chanting, standing, roaring and rooting from well before the opening whistle to wellll after the final gun.  I fully expect a similar atmosphere at the Kopp, which will cause nothing but problems from a Roma side that struggled inside a rather tame Camp Nou.  Combine this with Europe’s top goalscorer in Salah, and we have ourselves a recipe for route.  3-0 Liverpool FC