Salah scored four goals as Liverpool crushed Roma

Goals: Salah 36', 45'+1, Mane 56', Firmino 62', 69' - Dzeko 81', Perotti penalty 85'

Salah scored two goals and assisted two in the first leg at Anfield, a performance that was worthy of 11 out of 10. The three-goal win gives Liverpool a huge advantage ahead of the return leg in Rome a week later.

The match at Anfield was exciting from the first minutes when Liverpool had the chance to open the score. Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino both had situations to face goalkeeper Alisson Becker but their shots missed the target.

Meanwhile, Roma also almost shook the home team's net with Alexander Kolarov's long-range shot hitting the crossbar.

With the game becoming tighter towards the end of the first half, it was Salah who was the most awaited star who broke the deadlock. The Egyptian striker took one step past the opposing defender before curling a left-footed shot into the top corner, making Becker's flying situation hopeless.

Before the end of the first half, Salah doubled the score with a gentle lob after a quick counter-attack that originated from Firmino. The two goals helped Liverpool take the initiative in counter-attacking play after the break. Salah, with two runs down the right wing, created two crosses for Mane and Firmino to easily finish.

Firmino put the hosts five up with a header from James Milner's corner. However, Liverpool suffered from a habit of allowing opponents to score late on after building up a big lead. Edin Dzeko scored from close range before Diego Perotti converted a penalty after Milner's handball.

Two away goals have kept Roma’s hopes of a comeback alive at home, but they will need to repeat their 3-0 win over Barca in the quarter-finals. Liverpool, meanwhile, still hold a huge advantage and have the chance to play their favourite counter-attacking football at the Olimpico.

11 years after their last final against Milan, Liverpool saw the door to the European throne wide open. If in Athens 2007, Liverpool entered the final with a solid, collective style of play, this season it is an explosive attacking style with star Salah.

The match against Roma could be Salah's most impressive performance since joining Liverpool. The Italian team was almost powerless against his former player, allowing him to run rampant and directly have a hand in four goals.

Especially in the first half's injury time double, Salah comfortably ran in front of Roma's four-man defense to receive a pass from Firmino.

With the game already decided, Salah was replaced by Danny Ings and Liverpool no longer applied the constant pressure that helped Roma score two goals. This means Salah still has to work hard in the upcoming rematch.

Liverpool lost their recently in-form midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain early in the game. The former Arsenal player made a tackle on Kolarov but was injured. However, even when Liverpool had to make an unexpected substitution, Roma could not change the game.

The Serie A side seemed to have left everything behind in their win over Barca and were running out of ideas on their trip to Anfield. They conceded five goals and were unable to recover until Nainggolan’s lofted pass unexpectedly found Dzeko in the box. From a humiliating defeat, Roma turned the game in a new direction.

Nainggolan was the standout player in Roma's win over Barca and he was the one who started both goals against Liverpool. After setting up Dzeko, the Belgian midfielder hit James Milner's hand to win the penalty. In the final minutes, Roma gave the Anfield fans a heart attack when Dzeko and Nainggolan had the chance to reduce the score even further.

Notable statistics after Liverpool 5-2 Roma

Liverpool are only the second team to score five goals in a Champions League semi-final. In 1995, Ajax beat Bayern 5-2.

Seven goals is also the most goals scored in a Champions League semi-final.

Roma have won just one of their last 15 away games in the Champions League, losing nine and drawing five.

Liverpool are the first team to have three players score eight or more goals in a single Champions League season. They are Salah (10 goals), Firmino (10) and Mane (8).

Salah and Firmino's 10 goals is also a record for Liverpool players in a European cup season.

Salah is now behind only Ian Rush in terms of goals scored in a season for Liverpool. The Egyptian striker has 43 goals while Rush scored 47 in the 1983-1984 season.

Ronaldo is the only player to have been directly involved in more goals than Firmino. The Real star has 15 goals and three assists, while Firmino has 10 goals and six assists.

James Milner has become the player with the most assists in a single Champions League season since data began in 2003-04. The Englishman has eight assists, equalling Neymar's tally in 2016-17.