The Reds have faced the Italian side three times in this competition, the first being in the 1984 final when Liverpool beat them at the Stadio Olimpico to claim their fourth European Cup. We then faced them in the group stage back in 2001/02 season with the first match being a draw and Liverpool winning the second game meaning that these two side have never met at the semi-final stage, could we face them this season?
Roma are doing well in Serie A this season, although they are 21 points behind leaders Juventus, and are amongst the top four. Edin Dzeko has been their stand out performer this season and has six goals in ten Champions League games and could be a threat to our defence should we face them at the semi-final stage.
Real Madrid
A 3-0 1st leg away lead to take to the Bernabeu surely meant they had secured their place in the semi-finals but Juventus came out all guns blazing and made it 3-3 with 25 minutes to go. With what was looking to be an amazing comeback from the Italian side didn’t materialise when a penalty was awarded to Real Madrid in the 92nd minute and who else but Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to secure their place in the champions League semi-final.
The Reds have faced Madrid five times in this competition and have 3 wins under their belt against the Spanish giants, the first being in the final in 1981 where Liverpool came out on top to win their third European Cup, we then faced them at the knockout stage back in 2009 where Liverpool won 1-0 at the Bernabeu in the first leg and 4-0 at Anfield in the second leg to go through to the Quarter-finals, we then faced them in 2014 in the group stages and lost both games.
Zidane’s men are currently fourth in the Spanish League with 15 points separating them from top spot which is currently occupied by rivals Barcelona. Obviously they have a great side full of incredible players but the standout would be Ronaldo, at 33 years of age he is still bossing it in the league and Champions league and has scored in every European match this season and has netted 40 goals in 37 appearances in 2017/18.
The Spanish side have won three of the last four Champions League titles and are the favourites for this year’s competition.
Bayern Munich
The Reds have faced Bayern Munich in a Champions League semi-final back in 1981 with Liverpool going through on away goals.
The five times European Champions beat Sevilla 2-1 over the two legs and are on a good run after claiming their sixth Bundesliga title after beating Augsburg 4-1 on Saturday. A trip to Allianz arena would be gruelling and we would be in for a difficult game against some outstanding opposition but I am very confident that we can go there and get the job done. Munich are on an impressive run of 16 Champions League home matches without a defeat and have scored an impressive 58 goals along the way.
Despite waltzing their way to another league title their squad is ageing with both Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are now both 34 years old and fast approaching the end of their careers.
The Reds like to play fast-paced football and this could cause Bayern some problems and after the Reds beat them 3-0 in a pre-season game, Klopp and his players will be thinking they can do it again.
Let us know who you would like Liverpool to face in the semi-final of the Champions League and if we can go all the way to the final.
Article by Lauren Black -@LaurenBlack9
For more Redmen TV content including podcasts, subscriber exclusives and three new shows every week subscribe now and get your first month for FREE bit.ly/RMTVjoin
