Liverpool 'have to be aware' as Roma attempt to repeat Barcelona heroics, warns Wijnaldum

A 5-2 win in the first leg of their Uefa Champions League semi-final has given Liverpool the advantage but Roma fought back from a three-goal deficit in the previous round.

Liverpool's Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (C) controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League first leg semi-final football match between Liverpool and Roma at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, north west England on April 24, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Filippo MONTEFORTE
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Georginio Wijnaldum has warned his Liverpool teammates against writing off Roma, who will aim to repeat their remarkable victory over Barcelona when the two sides meet in the Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg next week.

Jurgen Klopp's team, inspired by Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, stormed into a 5-0 lead on Tuesday but Roma grabbed two away goals late on.

Wijnaldum believes Liverpool, who beat Premier League champions Manchester City 5-1 in the last eight, have the quality to complete the job and reach the Champions League final.

However, the 27-year-old Netherlands international is aware of how Roma produced one of the biggest shocks in recent years by overhauling Barcelona's 4-1 first-leg lead in the quarter-finals, winning 3-0 to progress on away goals.

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Uefa Champions League semi-finals: Why Liverpool will go on to win the title

Uefa Champions League semi-finals: Why Roma will go on to win the title

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"We know we can score goals but we have to do it there and we must try not to concede because that will give them more confidence," Wijnaldum said.

"I think those two goals have given them much more encouragement because their last result against Barcelona was 4-1 and they scored three goals at home so that will give them confidence.

"We also know what happened there so we have to be aware that it doesn't happen to us. But our last game against City (first leg) was 3-0 and we were all satisfied and it is the same situation we are all in now."

Roma host Liverpool in the second leg next Wednesday, with the Italians bidding to reach their first European Cup final since they lost on penalties to the same opponents in the 1984 final.

Liverpool, who have won five European Cups in their illustrious history, have not been in the final since AC Milan defeated them in 2007.