At 5-0 up, Liverpool were through. It could have been a totally different second leg had Jurgen Klopp's swashbuckling side not conceded two valuable away goals in the final 10 minutes at Anfield, and now they are left with a difficult decision to make. Do Liverpool try and settle for what they have? Is it possible for them to defend a lead?
Barcelona sat back to protect their three-goal advantage and Roma knocked them out of the Champions League. Here's what Liverpool need to know from that match to ensure they won't make the same mistake.
Why Roma fell apart
Roma switched from their usual 4-3-3 shape to a 3-5-2 /3-4-3 against Barcelona and had great success, dominating the midfield. Di Francesco may have figured the same thing would work wonders against Liverpool. He was incorrect.
The shape wasn't even the worst part. Roma's high defensive line, designed to keep their players closer together and keep possession in Liverpool's half, was suicidal.
Liverpool (left, 4-3-3) vs Roma (right, 3-4-3) CREDIT: OPTA
Here they try to compress Liverpool and work the ball into the area from a wide position.
Liverpool stayed nice and compact, preparing to punch a hole through the middle and press, then counter-press as soon as there was a turnover in possession.
A poor pass infield provided that chance to break, James Milner forced play up the pitch with a header and Roberto Firmino won the second ball.
The red arrows took flight!
Neeeeeeeeeeow. They're away! And Roma's high line is exposed. The defenders don't have a chance of catching Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
Mane gets into the box... and shoots over the bar. Liverpool would have to wait for their opener, which Salah grabbed with an absolutely stunning top corner curler from another quick attack shortly after.
Here's the third goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold spots Salah make a run and pings the ball into the channel.
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