Liverpool reached the Champions League final despite a 4-2 semi-final second leg defeat to Roma.

Sadio Mane had opened the scoring for Jurgen Klopp’s side at the Stadio Olimpico before a freak James Milner own goal pulled the hosts level.

The Reds took advantage of poor defending through a Georginio Wijnaldum header but Edin Dzeko did similar after the interval after Loris Karius spilled an initial effort.

A late flourish from Radja Nainggolan took Roma to within a goal of extra time but was unable to snatch away Liverpool’s place in next month’s final.

Here were the key talking points from Italy:

Goals, goals, goals

 

Roma had not conceded a goal at home in the Champions League this season. That record lasted all of nine minutes against Liverpool.

Sadio Mane’s opener was the 29th scored between himself, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah combined in the competition.

Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are just two European giants they have surpassed while the Reds have surpassed all clubs with a tally of 46.

Real Madrid are not a team that often worries about their opponents, particularly as they aim to retain the trophy for a third successive year.

But the prospect of facing this Liverpool attack is one that will be giving Zinedine Zidane and his men plenty of sleepless nights.

Bad habits continue to haunt Reds

 

For all their wonderful football going forward, Liverpool continue to be haunted by their failings at the other end of the pitch.

The arrival of Virgil van Dijk in January has helped to ease some of their defensive issues but the problem is yet to be eradicated.

A familiar sense of déjà vu surrounded them again in the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma’s first goals came from defensive errors, while Loris Karius can also be questioned for Radja Nainggolan’s strike in the game’s closing stages.

Beyond their defensive errors, Liverpool’s inability to control a game at the crucial moments was also plain for all to see.

Luck dictated that ultimately it did not end up costing them but with Real and Cristiano Ronaldo to come, Jurgen Klopp has 24 days to discover a remedy.

If he cannot, they may come back to haunt him and his side again in Kiev.

Firmino comfortably among Europe’s elite

 

In the lists of the world’s best strikers, Firmino’s name is unlikely to crop up often. Sooner rather than later, however, that will change.

An assist for Mane was his 14th this season and made him the first player this decade to manage at least seven goals and seven assists in a Champions League season.

Add that to his tally of 26 goals in all competitions and it demonstrates just how impressive the Brazil international has been this term.

There are few forwards in Europe who have the intelligence that Liverpool’s number nine poses at his disposal.

Last week’s new five-year contract is not only richly deserved but could be the best piece of business that has been done at Anfield in recent years.

In this form, Firmino is comfortably among the best strikers in Europe.

Fortune favours the bold

 

The old adage states that it is fortune that favours the bold and Liverpool can certainly attest to that.

Klopp’s side may have put in another fantastic performance to book their place in Kiev but they will know that fortune was certainly on their side.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was extremely fortunate not to give away a penalty when he blocked Cengiz Under’s goal-bound effort with his hand.

It was not the first time Liverpool have been fortunate in Europe this season – not that they will care one iota with a clash against Real Madrid to prepare for.

Their fans, however, will be hoping that their run of luck has not run its course before that meeting on May 26.