With 75 minutes played in Liverpool’s Champions League tie against Roma on Tuesday, Jurgen Klopp saw an opportunity to bring on Danny Ings, who has started just twice all season for the Reds.By the end of the match though, he was introducing Ragnar Klavan to proceedings.Klopp was trying to prevent Roma from scoring any more goals as the Italians recovered from 5-0 down to 5-2 in the first leg of their semi-final tie at Anfield.Of course, Liverpool are the favourites to now progress to the final in Kiev but it’s hard to shake the feeling that their progression to the big match could, and should, have been easier.Liverpool were rampant in the opening 70 minutes but what they allowed to happen in the final 10 will have given Roma hope of staging another incredible comeback, just as they did against Barcelona in the previous round.If Mohamed Salah repeats his excellent performance when the two clubs meet again next Wednesday, though, then there’s no doubt that Liverpool will progress to the final.The Egyptian forward scored twice and assisted two more as he took his tally to 43 goals in all competitions this season.
Van Persie's tweet
Football fans are running out of words to describe Salah, which perhaps explains why Robin van Persie simply resorted to a series of emojis.
The Feyenoord striker - formerly of Arsenal and Manchester United - simply had to recognise Salah’s brilliance during the match.
Indeed, Barcelona legend Carles Puyol also tweeted Salah.
It perhaps says a lot that Liverpool’s troubles began when Salah was taken off with 15 minutes remaining.
Watching their former teammate leave the Anfield pitch seemed to give Roma’s players hope and, knowing that Liverpool wouldn’t be as dangerous on the counter-attack, they began to get forward.
Klopp was full of praise for his star man, who took both of his goals incredibly well, at full-time.
"The first goal is just a genius strike,” the Liverpool boss said. “He's already scored a few like this - that makes it even more special.
“It makes it clear it is no coincidence. The second goal was brilliant play... then he makes the other two goals.
"If you think he's the best in the world, write it or say it. He is in outstandingly good shape, in world-class shape, 100 per cent. That's good.”