When the draw for the Champions League semi-final was made, and it was confirmed that Liverpool will take on Roma for a place in the final, the Italians immediately set about tweeting Mohamed Salah.

Salah, of course, played for Roma before Liverpool decided to buy him in the summer of 2017 for £34.3 million.

“We’ll be opponents for 180 minutes, but whatever happens we’ll remain friends for life. Looking forward to seeing you again, @22mosalah! 👋,” Roma tweeted.

The scary thing for Roma is that Salah is a better player now than he was 12 months ago.

The Egyptian is the bookmakers’ favourite to win the Premier League Player of the Year award, and it’s not hard to understand why.

Salah has scored 30 goals in the league, leaving him just two goals short of setting a new top flight record for most goals in a 38-game campaign.

Salah’s achievements have pleased Roma striker Edin Dzeko - although the former Manchester City striker hopes his former teammate draws a blank when they meet in the Champions League.

Dzeko on Salah

Dzeko has hailed Salah in an interview with the Telegraph, even admitting that the 25-year-old is missed at the Stadio Olimpico.

“First of all it’s such a shame he left here, but obviously he had to go,” Dzeko said. “At the end he did right because he’s doing some amazing things in the Premier League, which is not the easiest league to play in.

“Mo-Mo’s a great player and a great guy and hopefully he can break some records this year because 40 goals in England is a lot.

“I hope he’s going to score more in the Premier League but not the Champions League.”

Dzeko has noticed that his own return has reduced since Salah returned to England.

“Last year I scored 39 goals. This year I scored, let’s say, only 20,” he added. “I’m very happy for him that he left - but we are missing him.”

Dzeko, who lifted the Premier League title twice with Manchester City, knows Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp from their time in the Bundesliga.

“Hopefully he’s not going to a third [Champions League] final, at least not this year,” the 32-year-old continued. 

“I wish them well - for next year.”