Sports

Salah, Firmino braces help Liverpool down Roma 5-2

Klopp's men favourites to book spot for Champions League final in Kiev

Reuters April 24, 2018

Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrates the forth goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg match between Liverpool and A.S. Roma at Anfield. PHOTO: REUTERS

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool took a big step towards the Champions League final with a 5-2 win over AS Roma in their semi-final, first leg at Anfield on Tuesday.

Two late Roma goals, however, will give the Italians, who came back from 4-1 down to beat Barcelona in the previous round, some hope of an upset in the return game next Wednesday.

Salah form must strike fear in former club Roma

Two superbly taken goals from Mohamed Salah gave Juergen Klopp's side a 2-0 lead at halftime and Liverpool ripped Roma apart after the break.

A Sadio Mane goal and then two Roberto Firmino goals put Liverpool 5-0 up and Klopp felt comfortable enough to take off Salah, who had been outstanding.

Liverpool's Egyptian star Salah crowned PFA Player of the YearYet Edin Dzeko struck for the visitors in the 81st minute and four minutes later Diego Perotti converted a penalty to generate some tension for the return in Rome.

Bayern Munich and Real Madrid meet in the other semi-final on Wednesday.