The Liverpool fans here in the Transfer Tavern are gearing up for a semi-final match against Serie A side Roma in the Champions League and, after a fantastic two-leg win over Man City – they will surely fancy themselves.

Liverpool will be looking to continue the stunning form that saw them remain unbeaten in the group stages, alongside finding the net 23 times in the six matches. The Reds have the ability to blow any team away like we all seen in recent months and, that’s exactly what Jurgen Klopp will be looking for again to fire the Reds to European glory – which will delight our punters.

Our regulars have enjoyed watching Liverpool this season, however, are very mindful that a second-half collapse much like their one against Sevilla can happen at any point if they self-destruct. Indeed, that simply can not happen in the cut-throat Champions League knock out phases.

With defensive reinforcements brought in and a re-jig of players after the sale of Philippe Coutinho, Klopp will be expecting his players to level up once more to move on to the final, however, our landlord has taken a look at which TWO players, if it all goes belly-up will front the blame…

Vigil Van Dijk

The big Dutch defender should be enjoying his taste of Champions League football with Liverpool at present and was probably a big factor in the reason he moved to the Reds. The £75m signing is the rock Klopp has been looking for to organise and sort out his defence, though he needs a big performance after some rocky outings when he first moved.

Van Dijk must put in an almighty display against Roma over the two legs if he his to start to justify his price tag, helping give the team a boost from the back.

Our barman thinks though, if Van Dijk lacks a little confidence or shows signs of nerves, he could be targetted and one defensive mistake could cost the Reds the whole tie.

Mo Salah

The Egyptian is one of the sole reasons Liverpool have been playing the way they have this season!

He’s helped himself to a record number of goals so far and doesn’t look like stopping, constantly breaking behind enemy lines to scare the life out of opposition defences.

If Liverpool are to get anything out of this game then Klopp needs Salah fit and to produce one of his now expected performances. However, if Salah picks up and injury like he did in the quarter-finals, Liverpool don’t tick the same and that could be crucial in not gaining the aggregate win.