Salah scores four goals as Liverpool crush 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, giving 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 scoring. Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino both had one-on-one situations with goalkeeper Alisson Becker but their shots missed the target.

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

With the game becoming tighter towards the end of the first half, Salah, the most anticipated star, had a chance to shine to break the deadlock. The Egyptian striker took a step past the opposing defender before curling a left-footed shot into the top corner, making Becker's flying situation hopeless.

Salah doubled the lead before the end of the first half with a gentle lob after a quick counter-attack from Firmino. The two goals helped Liverpool take the initiative with their 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 have 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 on home soil, 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.

Eleven 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 all but settled, Salah was replaced by Danny Ings and Liverpool lost the consistent pressure that helped Roma score two goals. This means Salah will still have to work hard in the upcoming rematch.

Liverpool were without their recently-best midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain early in the game. The former Arsenal man made a tackle on Kolarov but was injured. However, even when Liverpool had to make an unforced substitution, Roma could not change the game.

The Serie A side seemed to have left everything behind in their win over Barca and were 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. Roma, who had accepted defeat, turned the game around.

Nainggolan was Roma's standout performer against Barca and he was the one who started both goals against Liverpool. After setting up Dzeko, the Belgian midfielder's shot hit James Milner's arm to win the penalty. In the final minutes, Roma gave the Anfield fans a scare when Dzeko and Nainggolan had chances to reduce the deficit even further.

Notable statistics after Liverpool 5-2 Roma

Liverpool are 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 Champions League season since data began in 2003-04. The Englishman has eight assists, the same as Neymar in 2016-17.