The Liverpool fans in the Transfer Tavern are still celebrating their superb 5-2 win over Roma at Anfield last night. Two goals each from Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino either side of a Sadio Mane strike put Jurgen Klopp’s men in the driving seat for the tie, although it’s Georginio Wijnaldum who’s come in for plaudits after his performance off the bench for the Reds.
These are magical games at Anfield we will never forget. Let’s make sure we won’t lose focus like the last 10 minutes of this game so we can take that spot in the final. Thank you for the wonderful evening and the support. Safe trip home! #weareliverpool #YNWA @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/mkwBerIHWg
— Georginio Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) 24 April 2018
The one sour note for the Liverpool fans on such an incredible night was the early injury suffered by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The England midfielder was stretchered off on the 18-minute mark after going hard into a challenge on Roma’s Alexander Kolarov, leading to Gini Wijnaldum being called into action earlier than Klopp would have liked. The introduction of Wijnaldum was a turning point for Liverpool and after just 17 minutes of Wijnaldum being on the pitch, Salah opened the scoring.
The midfielder failed to pitch in with a goal or an assist on the night, but his dominant performance in the middle of the park, making runs and spraying passes, was too much for the Roma pivot of Kevin Strootman and Danielle De Rossi. Whilst it’s unfortunate that Chamberlain will now miss the second leg, it opens up a spot in the team for Wijnaldum, who deserves to be starting on merit after his impressive display yesterday running rings around Roma. The midfielder will most likely be thrown into the starting eleven on the weekend against Stoke, and another impressive showing could seal his place in the eleven at the Stadio Olimpico this time next week.
You can read our local Kopites’ verdict on Wijnaldum’s incredible performance here:
you were superb
— LFCZA (@LFCZA) 24 April 2018
You ran the midfield tonight Gini. Your best performance to date
— Paul (@_lfcpaul) 24 April 2018
https://twitter.com/patrickmlennon/status/988897605949231104
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) April 24, 2018
You bring the legs and we'll bring the voices. #YNWA
— Cherie (@Brianthecat) April 25, 2018
You turned into Iniesta today. Hope we can see the same again in the away leg
— Rishard (@Rishxrd) April 24, 2018
YNWA Gini, well played.
— Enarrik (@Enarrik) 24 April 2018
Great performance, Gini, and superb attitude to come on and do what you did!!
— PaleRiDer (@PRDavo) April 24, 2018
Gini @GWijnaldum
— Möhà07 (@Mh0763036771) 24 April 2018
Class when you came on tonight Gini, congrats!
— Tom (@_TomCork_) April 24, 2018
