Despite another spell of late sloppy play, Liverpool all but booked passage into the Champions League final in Kiev.
Some late sloppiness took some shine off another brilliant European night at Anfield as the Reds beat Roma 5-2.
In a cagey first half hour, Roma reminded everyone that their inclusion in the final four was earned.
They started well, forcing Liverpool to be patient and work out how to play amidst a jam-packed midfield. Eventually, bypassing the midfield altogether proved the way through.
Yet, James Milner still managed to get an assist, equaling the record for most assists in a single Champions League season. It was one of multiple records to fall during the evening.
Once Mo Salah broke the deadlock and doubled the advantage before the break, the Reds returned to make Roma suffer.
Liverpool’s pressing suffocated the Serie A side and repeatedly snatching the ball on the break and punishing the visitors with pace of thought and play.
Five goals sent Anfield into ecstasy before the Merseysiders conceded a couple to make the return leg ever so slightly complicated.
It was a masterclass of attacking aggression, as Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino each scored and assisted twice with Sadio Mané chipping in as well.
There was a spell when Roma simply could not live with Liverpool. Wave after wave of attack left the Italian side rattled and reeling.
If not for a mistake and a dodgy penalty decision, the Reds would be out of sight and already in the final.
Here are four findings from the match:
