Prediction: AS Roma vs Liverpool

Verdict: Mohamed Salah to score anytime

Best Odds: 13/15

Bookmaker: 888sport

Liverpool travel to Rome carrying a healthy three-goal lead into their Champions League semi-final return leg against AS Roma but Giallorossi have already erased the identical deficit and will hope to replay such a huge undertaking once again.

AS Roma

The Serie A heavyweights were hit hard in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at Anfield despite dominating the opening proceedings. It was Liverpool’s attacking brilliance that ended up stunning the Italians who were trailing 5-0 at one moment with their hopes slowly fading away.

Eusebio Di Francesco’s men refused to back down and managed to score two away goals which will have been a major morale boost, knowing that the Italian side have already demonstrated their ability to rise back from the ashes. AS Roma progressed to the Champions League semi-final off the back of a remarkable 3-0 win over Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico which allowed them to write off a 4-1 defeat in Barcelona. Having already dispatched the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Shakhtar Donets at home this season in the competition, AS Roma are not expected to bow down in front Liverpool and will do their best to create another Rome miracle. In order to do so, they will require great help from their in-form hitman Edin Dzeko who’s been AS Roma’s most prolific striker this season across all competitions.

Team News

Kostas Manolas, Cengiz Under and Alessandro Florenzi were all rested at the weekend and should be recalled for the Wednesday night’s clash.

Diego Peroti is expected to be sidelined for two weeks after his latest ankle injury, whereas Kevin Strootman is doubtful for the game.

Liverpool

Sitting on the brink of their first Champions League final since 2007, Liverpool travel to Rome on the back of high expectations. A commanding 5-2 lead would be enough to guarantee passage through on any other day but Liverpool head into the crucial clash against AS Roma worried about a couple of things that could end up ruining their entire season.

Jurgen Klopp’s men were held to a goalless draw against Stoke City last weekend, when German tactician refused to shake hands with the referee in protest. Back to back stalemates could cost Liverpool their top-four place and Klopp will need to find a way to lift his team up in the closing stage of the domestic season. It will be easier said than done knowing he is left without his faithful lieutenant Zeljko Buvac, who went absent from his Liverpool duties due to personal reasons. The club refused to comment rumours of a potential bust-up between Klopp and his ‘brain’, and it’s left to be seen if his sudden departure will have any negative effect on the team. Adding fuel to fire, Liverpool travel to Rome without four first team players and will definitely need to be on top of their game in order to preserve the three-goal lead in Italy.

Team News

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain endured a season-ending knee injury in the first leg against AS Roma.

Adam Lallana, Joel Matip and Emre Can will join the England international in the treatment room, whereas Sadio Mane is expected to be involved in the game after successfully recovering from a knock.

Key Factors to Consider

• AS Roma already recovered from a three-goal deficit in the last round of the competition
• Giallorossi suffered their fourth away defeat in the Champions League at Anfield
• Liverpool managed to keep a clean sheet in five Champions League games this season
• Mohamed Salah scored in 8 of his last 9 games in all competitions
• The Reds scored the total of 38 goals in 11 UCL matches

Conclusion

Liverpool are one good defensive performance away from the Champions League final. However, AS Roma have already proved that they are capable of mounting even the biggest of challenges and will lack no motivation heading into the second leg in Rome, knowing they already eliminated Barcelona despite losing on a three-goal margin in the first leg.

Verdict: Mohamed Salah to score anytime

Best Odds: 13/15

Bookmaker: 888sport