Charlie Nicholas has predicted Liverpool to pick up a narrow win over Roma on Tuesday night in their Champions League semi-final clash.
Jurgen Klopp’s side host the Italian giants at Anfield in the first leg of their two-legged European tie, with Bayern Munich facing Real Madrid in the corresponding semi-final.
The Merseyside club knocked out Premier League champions Manchester City in the previous round and are vying to be the first English team to reach the Champions League final since Chelsea won it in 2012.
Meanwhile, Roma pulled out a memorable 3-0 win against Barcelona to knock them out on away goals and are another team that have come from under the radar this campaign.
Sky Sports pundit Nicholas has tipped Liverpool to record a 1-0 win in their home leg and picked out Sadio Mane is the likely goalscorer.
He feels that the 26-year-old attacker can be the key man in the midweek clash and make the most of attention on teammates Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
“I think it will be a very tight game. They haven’t struggled with it quite as much this season, but it still isn’t as easy for Liverpool when teams sit back, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane far more dangerous when they have space to attack,” Nicholas wrote in his column for Sky Sports.
“Mane is the one who has the really dynamic speed in behind and with the focus of their marking being on Roberto Firmino and Salah, it should leave him the chance to execute his brilliant ability to operate on the shoulders of defenders.
“Liverpool need to win this game as a draw makes Roma favourites, but I think they will get the victory, perhaps with a late goal in a performance which will require patience.”
OPINION
Liverpool have done an exceptional job in reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League and even avoided heavyweights Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the last four. They have a brilliant opportunity to reach the final, but can’t afford to underestimate a Roma team that have already proven their class in this season’s competition against the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea. Liverpool have their own attacking stars that will be looking to give them a first leg lead, but defensively they have to be switched on. Roma centre-forward Edin Dzeko already has six goals in the Champions League and has the ability to bully centre-backs on his day.