Liverpool to face Roma in Champions League semi-finals

Liverpool have been drawn against Italian side Roma in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The Reds came through an all-Premier League quarter-final against Manchester City, winning the first leg 3-0 at Anfield and the second 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

Serie A outfit Roma produced a remarkable comeback to knock out Barcelona on the same night. The Italian team lost the first leg 4-1 in Spain, but progressed on away goals following a 3-0 home victory.

The other semi-final will be between European heavyweights Bayern Munich and holders Real Madrid, who needed a dramatic stoppage-time penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo to see off Juventus after the Italians had come back from 3-0 down in the first leg to level the tie.

The first legs will be played on April 24/25, when Liverpool will be at home, with the second legs on May 1/2.

UEFA later confirmed Liverpool will host Roma on April 24, with the match at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday May 2.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah scored in both games against City and will be set to face his former club, having left Roma in a £34million deal during the summer transfer window.

Jurgen Klopp’s side impressed with the manner in which they dispatched City, having taken hold of the tie in an electric encounter at Anfield where all the goals came inside the opening 31 minutes.

Defender Andy Robertson said ahead of the draw the team would take great confidence from their performances against the Premier League champions-elect into their next European encounter.

“This club have been here before and they know how hard it is, regardless of who you are playing, to get to the final and try and win this trophy,” Robertson told www.liverpoolfc.com.

“We don’t care who we get – we know how hard it’s going to be and we need to try and work so hard to get to the final because we need to deserve it.

“If we can put in performances like we did over these two legs (against City) then hopefully that’s enough.”

The tie against Roma will also bring back memories of Liverpool’s fourth European Cup triumph in 1984.

The Reds won 4-2 on penalties after the match at Roma’s Stadio Olimpico finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Roma sporting director Monchi believes the tie also offers the Italians hope of progress.

“It feels like a great opportunity to chase the joy we were not able to experience so many years ago, but of course it will be difficult because Liverpool are an extremely strong side,” he said on the club’s official Twitter page.

“We need to think about ourselves and try to reproduce what we were able to show against Barcelona.”