Liverpool are looking to stay on course to win their sixth Champions League title on Tuesday as they host Roma in the first leg of the semi-final encounter.
A 5-1 aggregate victory over Manchester City saw the Reds progress to this stage, with Mohamed Salah scoring in both legs to ensure Liverpool remain the only side yet to taste defeat in the year’s competition.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are undefeated in all competitions for seven matches, a run spanning back to early March.
Meanwhile, Roma caused one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history in the quarter-finals, coming back from a 4-1 deficit in the first leg to defeat Barcelona on away goals after a famous 3-0 home win.
Ahead of the blockbuster fixture, we’ve taken a look at some of the key battles which could decide who leads going into next week’s second leg…
Mohamed Salah vs Aleksandar Kolarov
Mohamed Salah is the clear standout player for Liverpool. His PFA Player of the Year win on Sunday shows that. The Egyptian international scored his 41st goal in all competitions on Saturday, and for Roma to have any chance of stopping Liverpool, they will need Kolarov to be at his outright best.
Kolarov has played in every minute of Roma’s Champions League campaign and scored the first goal in their comeback in the away draw at Chelsea. However, his eagerness to attack could hamper Roma in their attempts to keep their former player quiet.
Edin Dzeko vs Virgil van Dijk
Edin Dzeko has flourished in this season’s Champions League, scoring six goals and assisting four, appearing in every game so far. His two goals at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea showed he is still in his prime, and he will hope to show that at Anfield.
Liverpool’s record signing will have to show why the Reds paid so much for him as he aims to keep the Bosnian quiet.
Set pieces could be key in this battle as Dzeko is known to be good in the air, so Van Dijk will have to be alert at all times.
Jordan Henderson vs Radja Nainggolan
Radja Nainggolan likes to get forward and has become accustomed to a more attacking role, playing as one of two advanced midfielders behind Dzeko.
With that, Henderson will have to track the Belgian international well.
The experienced Englishman will have to be wary of the strike Nainggolan possesses and will have to watch him closely as he is known to like a shot from distance.
Roberto Firmino vs Kostas Manolas
Roberto Firmino is Liverpool’s joint top scorer in this season’s competition, scoring eight goals, including the strike that secured a famous away victory at Manchester City.
Always on the move, the Greek centre-back will have to be cautious so he can stop the Brazilian from sneaking in behind.
Manolas will be well prepared for this challenge though, leading the defence against Barcelona as they kept them out in their last game shows he is good enough.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain vs Daniele De Rossi
One of the features of Liverpool’s dominant performances in Europe has been the directness of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The former Arsenal man is the link between Liverpool’s midfield and attack and he is encouraged to drive into any space created as the Reds’ front three switch positions.
He did just that to score a wonderful goal against Man City and he’ll be looking to do the same at Anfield.
The experienced Daniele De Rossi will be tasked with keeping tabs on Oxlade-Chamberlain and the veteran will call upon all of his experience to combat the England midfielder.
However, Oxlade-Chamberlain should have more legs that the Italian, so the more he makes him chase, the more likely it is that gaps appear late in the game.