Georginio Wijnaldum and Virgil van Dijk are on course for the Champions League final after Liverpool defeated AS Roma 5-2 in their semi-final first-leg.
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Tuesday’s tie at Anfield saw Netherlands teammates Virgil van Dijk and Kevin Strootman line-up against each other from the start, while Georginio Wijnaldum started on the bench. However, an injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain meant Wijnaldum entered the pitch on 18 minutes.
The opening stages of the game were cagey but Liverpool finally took the lead through Mohamed Salah, who curled in an excellent strike on 35 minutes. Ten minutes later the in-form Egyptian doubled their lead.
In the second half, Liverpool raced into a 5-0 lead with Sadio Mane making it 3-0 before Roberto Firmino netted a double. Roma seemed down and out but Edin Dzeko pulled one back and before the end Diego Perotti scored a penalty to give the Italians a slim glimmer of hope heading into next week’s second leg.
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