24th April 2018, Anfield, Liverpool, England; UEFA Champions League football, semi final, 1st leg, Liverpool versus AS Roma; Mohamed Salah of Liverpool says a prayer as he takes to the field in front of the Kop

The best of the photos from Liverpool 5-2 Roma

Liverpool took a big step towards reaching the Champions League final after powering to a fantastic 5-2 first-leg win over Roma at Anfield.

Liverpool 5-2 Roma

Champions League Semi-Final First Leg, Anfield
April 24, 2018

Goals: Salah 35’, 45’, Mane 56’, Firmino 61’, 68’; Dzeko 81’, Perotti pen 85’


The Reds finally made the long-overdue return to their rightful place among Europe’s elite as Roma arrived at Anfield to kick off the semi-final showdown.

Playing at home first Jurgen Klopp’s side were desperate for a positive result to take to Italy and got just that, as a fantastic display ensured of a healthy three-goal first-leg lead.

There was another special reception for the Reds on arrival at Anfield, with supporters out in their thousands to greet the team coach.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 24, 2018: Liverpool supporters welcome the team bus before the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and AS Roma at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Klopp restored the Reds to full strength and unsurprisingly opted for the exact XI which blitzed Man City at Anfield in the quarter-finals.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 24, 2018: Liverpool's players line-up for a team group photograph before the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and AS Roma at Anfield. Back row L-R: goalkeeper Loris Karius, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Dejan Lovren, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah. Front row L-R: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, Trent Alexander-Arnold, captain Jordan Henderson, Andy Robertson. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Anfield was at its spectacular best as the two teams lined up for battle.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 24, 2018: Liverpool supporters on the Spion Kop during the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and AS Roma at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 24, 2018: Liverpool supporters on the Spion Kop during the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and AS Roma at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

All eyes were on Mohamed Salah as he faced his former club for the first time since leaving for Anfield.

And the Egyptian didn’t disappoint as, after a slow Liverpool start, he exploded the contest to life planting an incredible curler into the top corner prompting an apology to his former fans.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 24, 2018: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and AS Roma at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Who else but Salah then doubled the lead with a delightful chip over Alisson to give the Reds a deserved two-goal half-time lead.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 24, 2018: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and AS Roma at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Kopites were absolutely loving it…

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 24, 2018: Liverpool supporters during the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and AS Roma at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Sadio Mane made it 3-0 finishing into the bottom corner after Salah turned provider.

And the unplayable Egyptian King, now in a league of his own, laid on a fourth for partner-in-crime Firmino.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 24, 2018: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino scores the fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and AS Roma at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 24, 2018: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino (left) celebrates scoring the fourth goal with team-mate Mohamed Salah during the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and AS Roma at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The Brazilian’s header made it 5-0 to put the Reds on the way to a rout, but Roma fought back with two late goals from Edin Dzeko and Diego Perotti to earn a glimmer of hope for the return.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 24, 2018: Liverpool's scoreboard records the 5-2 victory over AS Roma during the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and AS Roma at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Despite the late collapse it was a magnificent performance and result for the Reds who will be confident of seeing the job through in the Italian capital next Wednesday.

Before that, Klopp’s side host Stoke City in the Premier League on Saturday looking for another three points to all but confirm a top-four finish.

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