Michael Owen has predicted Liverpool to beat AS Roma when the sides meet at Anfield on Tuesday.
The former Reds striker backed Jurgen Klopp’s side to take a significant lead into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final by securing a comfortable victory on Tuesday.
“Liverpool are yet to lose in the European Cup/Champions League to Roma in three previous meetings – including the penalty shoot-out success in the 1984 Final in Rome – and I expect the Reds to take a lead back to the Italian capital for the second leg in just over a week’s time,” stated Owen in his BetVictor predictions.
“Liverpool have scored 33 times in the CL this season and I expect to see the Reds come flying out of the traps at Anfield.
“The fans played their part against City in the quarter-final and I expect to see the same passion and energy on and off the pitch.
“Roma have won just one of their last 14 CL games on the road – and that was at Qarabag earlier in the season – and are without a clean sheet in their last 26 away games in the competition.”
Owen then continued speaking about the first leg of Liverpool’s Champions League semi final against Roma by commenting on how he thought winger Mohamed Salah would react to playing his former club.
“Newly crowned PFA Footballer of the Year Mo Salah has scored in his last four CL starts for the Reds and will meet up with a number of old friends and former teammates,” said Owen.
“That friendship will be put on hold for 90 minutes, however, in what will be a white-hot Anfield atmosphere – I take Liverpool to take a significant lead to Rome.”
OPINION
Owen certainly has confidence in Klopp’s side by tipping them to establish a comfortable lead in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. The pundit is right to suggest that the Anfield crowd can do their part by passionately supporting their team, as it seemed to help the Reds perform against Manchester City in the last round. While the former Reds striker doesn’t edge his bets by predicting an overall winner of the fixture, it seems like he will end up predicting that the Reds will end up in the Champions League final. If the Reds end up in the final of the prestigious European tournament this season it will be a tremendous achievement for Klopp and his side. However Reds supporters will be dreaming of lifting the trophy not reaching the final.