Liverpool beat Roma 5-2 in an enthralling Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield on Tuesday evening, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

Roma got off to the better start and would have been pleased with the opening 25 minutes of the game. They came close to opening the scoring in this period as Loris Karius misjudged an Alexander Kolorov strike but was saved by the crossbar.

Jurgen Klopp’s men then found their feet as star man Mohamed Salah opened the scoring on 35 minutes. The Roma defence stepped off Salah, giving him enough space and time to pick out the top corner with an outrageous strike.

Then on the stroke of half-time, the Reds made it 2-0. They broke forward on the counter and Roberto Firmino fed through Salah, the Egyptian kept his cool and calmly chipped the ball over Allison in the Roma goal.

2-0 at the break, Anfield was rocking and Liverpool were in control of the game.

Liverpool were on fire and it didn’t take them long to get their third. This time the Egyptian turned provider as he carried the ball to the byline and squared the ball across the goal to Sadio Mane who made no mistake in tapping home. 3-0 after 56 minutes.

A rampant Liverpool then made it 4-0 just five minutes later. Salah brilliantly dribbled past the defender and drilled a low cross into the six-yard box, where Firmino was on hand to tuck home.

After 68 minutes, Klopp’s men made it 5-0. James Milner whipped in a corner kick which was met by Firminio, the Brazilian managed to place his header into the bottom corner.

Roma were then given a glimmer of hope as they pulled a goal back. A ball over the top was brilliantly brought down by Edin Dzeko, who then found the bottom corner, 5-1 with 81 minutes played.

The Italians were then given further hope of a second leg come back after a Radja Nainggolan shot was blocked by the arm of Milner and the referee pointed to the spot. Diego Perotti stepped up and rifled home the spot kick, 5-2 the score with 85 minutes played.

It was a different game now as Roma were on the front foot looking for a third, while Liverpool were suddenly looking vulnerable. However, despite the pressure, the Italians could not get another goal back.

Liverpool came out 5-2 winners in an absolute thriller of a game and will take a big lead into the second leg. Roma could have been out of the tie but were saved by the two late goals and will now have hope of reproducing another big comeback.