In the lead-up to Wednesday night’s away leg of their UEFA Champions League tie with AS Roma, Liverpool FC defender Joe Gomez says his team will continue being positive in attack. He told the media that his side will embody the belief that the best defense is a strong offense.
Liverpool head into this match up 5-2 from the first leg, and overall very healthy. The only fresh injury concern is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who got hurt and had to be stretchered off during the Anfield leg. He suffered ligament damage and he’s unfortunately out for the season, and longer, as he will even miss out on playing for England in the World Cup.
Liverpool do not have any other new fitness concerns, and like their midweek opponents, do not have players suspended.
Roma do have some injury worries though with key midfielder Kevin Strootman a doubt, and Diego Perotti also in a race to be fit in time. The latter is strongly unlikely to feature in this one.
Of course, the biggest story line surrounding this match relates to security and public safety. Reds boss manager Jurgen Klopp has sent a message to his fans base, urging them to try and stay out of trouble in Rome. The Anfield leg saw an ugly incident which left a 53-year-old Reds supporter in critical condition, and two Italian men in custody on criminal charges. It’s also been publicly decried by both Klopp and Roma owner James Pallotta. The latter did so, with some NSFW talk.
Klopp press conference video: coming tomorrow
Odds: Most sportsbooks have Liverpool FC almost level with the Italians in the odds for the second leg, currently sitting at +160 (Betway), compared to Roma’s +155 (888Sport).
Liverpool FC starting XI prediction: go to this link
Prediction: Liverpool FC 3, Roma 1
With the type of season, Salah and company are having, it’s looking like a sixth European Cup/UEFA Champions League title could be in the works for Liverpool in Kiev next month.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud, LinkedIn and YouTube.