Steven Gerrard insists that Liverpool have given Roma a “glimmer of hope” in the Champions League after their late capitulation in the 5-2 win at Anfield.
The Reds took control of the two-legged semi-final tie with an impressive victory on Tuesday night, where they proved how deadly they are in attack.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will take a three-goal lead going into the second leg at Rome, but it may have been more after being excellent for the majority of the game.
Mohamed Salah (two), Roberto Firmino (two), and Sadio Mane put the hosts into a 5-0 lead and they almost had one foot in the final.
However, Edin Dzeko and Diego Perotti netted two late goals for the Italian visitors to give them a lifeline ahead of the second leg next week.
Liverpool legend Gerrard was left disappointed at the final whistle after giving Roma a way back into the contest and feels they switched off.
“Of course, 100 per cent (I would have taken 5-2 before the match),” Gerrard said during the televised coverage of Liverpool v Roma on BT Sport 2 (21:50).
“But in the game, when you go 5-0 up, you have to kill the game. It’s all about game management and being professional and keep your focus until the end.
“Liverpool came down in the gears towards the end and paid for it. They’ve given Roma a little glimmer of hope.”
OPINION
Liverpool’s late collapse put a bit of a dampener on the 5-2 win against Roma, but once the dust has settled they can be absolutely thrilled with the performance. Klopp’s side definitely have one foot in the final given their three-goal lead and an away goal in Rome would completely kill the tie off. Roma certainly played into Liverpool’s hands with their high defensive line on Tuesday night, but you still have to make the most of the space in behind. The attacking trio of Salah, Mane and Firmino were quite frightening at times and can rip through any defence. Real Madrid face Bayern Munich in the corresponding semi-final and either of them would have a real test trying to stop this Liverpool momentum in Europe.