Liverpool v Roma: Fast-starting Reds can seize initiative

Liverpool v Roma
Tuesday 24th April, 19:45
Live on BT Sport

Liverpool set to recall big guns

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was frustrated to see his side throwaway a two-goal advantage at rock-bottom West Brom on Saturday despite making five changes ahead of their Champions League semi-final. The German criticised his players and the Hawthorns pitch for the Reds' inability to clinch maximum points.

Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, plus defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dejan Lovren and Andrew Robertson were all rested and Liverpool looked shaky at the back in their absence, particularly from crosses into the box. All five are expected to be recalled for Tuesday night's tussle.

Danny Ings' first goal in 930 days and Mohamed Salah's record-equalling 31st Premier League goals of the season had given the Merseysiders their two-goal advantage although those goals represented two of Liverpool's tally of three on-target efforts across a disappointing 90 minutes.

Roma warm up in style

Roma couldn't have hoped for a more positive precursor for their for their hotly anticipated midweek trip to Anfield. The Giallorossi triumphed 3-0 away at relegation-threatened Spal with Patrik Schick grabbing his long-awaited first Serie A goal for the side and Jonathan Silva making his debut at left-back.

Eusebio Di Francesco opted to rest and rotate his troops for the tricky trip withAleksandar Kolarov, Danielle De Rossi, Edin Dzeko, Alessandro Florenzi and Cengiz Under all offered the opportunity to put their feet up. Post-match, Di Francesco admitted he already knew his starting XI for Tuesday night.

The Giallorossi dominated the shot count 14-6 at Spal but Di Francesco suggested his team would need to be more clinical at Anfield. Preferring to play on the counter-attack, the Roma boss is expected to ask his team to cede possession, play on the counter and use Dzeko as a talented targetman.

Reds hot favourites for first leg lead

Roma 6.80 are appearing in their first European semi-final for 27 years having usurped Barcelona in the quarter-finals despite trailing 4-1 from the first leg. The Italians came through a difficult pool as group winners ahead of Chelsea and Atletico Madrid but the bulk of their best performances have come in the capital.

Eusebio Di Francesco's men have W1-D1-L3 on their continental travels this term with their sole success arriving at minnows Qarabag. In fact, that's Roma's only triumph on their Champions League travels in 13 away days since 2014/15.

Liverpool 1.56 have returned W10-D4-L1 over their past 15 fixtures with the Reds noticeably tightening up defensively since their January additions arrived. The Merseysiders have won both of their Champions League knockout ties against Porto and Man City by an aggregate of 10-1 during that 15-game streak.

The hosts will be expected to make another whirlwind start to the encounter and so with prices tight across a home win, it may pay to support Liverpool leading at half-time and full-time at 2.30. Nine of the Reds' past 11 Anfield victories have seen them ahead at the interval.

Goals prohibitively priced

As always, goals are expected in Liverpool's encounters with Over 2.5 Goals chalked up at just 1.61. The Reds have scored at least twice in all bar one of their previous 12 fixtures at their Merseyside back, including racking up 11 goals in their most recent three Anfield outings.

Roma are without a Champions League clean sheet in 26 games as guests in the competition - the second-worst ever such streak in the tournament - but the Giallorossi do provide plenty of attacking threat themselves. Only Atletico Madrid have managed to silence the Serie A side in Europe this season.

Liverpool have produced Over 2.5 Goals profit in seven of their last eight Champions League dates and with Roma following suit in four of their five away days on the continental stage, we should be in for a treat. However, prohibitive pricing makes a goals-based punt unappealing.

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