Liverpool 2 – 3 AS Roma
Liverpool 2 – 3 AS Roma
Anfield (54,167)
GOAL SCORERS
EL SHAARAWY (1)
NAINGGOLAN (34) (pen)
WIJNALDUM (41)
VIETTO (68)
RASHFORD (88) (pen)
El Shaarawy celebrates as he scores the first goal of the game
It’s match day 10 as 51,887 fans are gathered here at Anfield to watch Liverpool play against AS Roma. This promises to be a good match. Liverpool managed by Ryan Shaw beat Dynamo Kyiv 1 – 0 in the cup which caused the manager to be sacked. Napoli boss Luis looks like the bookies’ favourite to take the job, while AS Roma won their cup match against Shandong Luneng.
In his pre-match conference, Fert said “I’m very happy to have Nainggolan after he got a 3 match suspension. He went to Belgium to refresh his mind and he is back better than ever. Our medical team also said that Strootman should be available for the Arsenal match. I told our defenders to make sure that Liverpool don’t get any decent chance to score especially Coutinho”.
Liverpool line up:
AS Roma line up:
First Half:
Liverpool started the match as the referee blew his whistle. Within one minute, AS Roma scored, Vietto stole the ball and played a long pass to El Shaarawy who then struck the ball to the top corner as scored as Mingolet couldn’t reach it. Six minutes later Vietto almost scored but his shot missed the target. A quarter of an hour into the game Moreno received a yellow card for tackling Rashford. Henderson also brought down Perotti and received a yellow card. In the 32nd minute, Sturridge received the ball from Coutinho and tried to score but his shot went wide off the post. Two minutes later, Nainggolan was brought down by Emre Can in the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot as Nainggolan was to take the penalty. He struck it low and hard as Mignolet couldn’t get to it. Florenzi brought down Wijnaldum in the 39th minute and received a yellow card. Using the free kick given, Coutinho crossed the ball to Wijnaldum who then scored a beautiful header as Alisson couldn’t get to it. The referee blew his whistle as the match ended 2 – 1 with AS Roma winning.
Second Half:
AS Roma started the half by playing the ball around the back. Five minutes later, Rashford received the ball from Sturridge and hit it towards the bottom corner but Alisson made an easy save. 58 minutes into the game, Henderson tried a dangerous shot, but Alisson got to it. In the 65th minute, De Rossi played a through ball to Nainggolan who then struck the ball to the top corner but Mignolet was able to save it. AS Roma added a third goal in the 68th minute as Vietto received a pass from Perotti and shot at goal. Mignolet couldn’t get near it as the Ball went through the roof of the net. Moreno tried to score a 4th goal for AS Roma but Mignolet showed strong hands to push the ball clear. 11 minutes till the end of the game, Salah was booked for tackling Defrel after the ball was stolen off him. AS Roma thought that they had scored a goal in the 86th minute as Vietto received a pass from Nainggolan and shot at goal but Vietto was ahead of the last defender when the ball was played. A minute later, Henderson struck the ball towards the top corner, but Alisson pushed it clear of goal. Rashford managed to get the ball back and was fouled in the penalty area. The referee pointed to spot and Rashford placed his shot towards the bottom corner. Good penalty. The last chance of the game was when Vietto received the ball from Defrel and struck the ball with venom but Mignolet looked relieved as the ball went wide. The referee blew his whistle with AS Roma winning 3 – 2.
FULL TIME: Liverpool 2 – 3 AS Roma
MOTM: Radja Nainggolan
Match Statistics:
Post Match Conference:
Fert was available to comment about the game. He said “The team looked really sharp today. Although we conceded from a free kick and a penalty, we were good defensively. Looks like Nainggolan is back to his good old self, he really needed that rest. Lets just hope that we carry this type of performance to Arsenal when we play them next”. Nainggolan was also interviewed by the reporters. “I felt refreshed after coming back from the suspension. This was one of my best games this season and I hope to carry this type of performance through out the season. I just hope that the manager keeps picking me”.
