Liverpool set up Real Madrid clash despite late Roma drama

A glorious, wild and downright weird tie saw Liverpool reach the Champions League final. There they will meet Real Madrid, who are seeking their third straight win, and with both sides wonderful in attack but miserable in defence, we are guaranteed a treat.

Leading 5-2 from the first leg, Liverpool knew that Roma would look to attack them and they were duly primed to counter; within nine minutes Roberto Firmino had seized on a misplaced pass, and Sadio Mane opened the scoring on the night.

But just six minutes later, Roma equalised, Dejan Lovren clearing into James Milner's face and the ensuing ricochet took the ball past Loris Karius. Liverpool, though, looked dangerous every time they went near Roma's pathetic defence and on 26 minutes a simple header from Georginio Wijnaldum put them ahead again.

Roma now needed to score four more for extra-time, and to give them their due, they did their best. Edin Dzeko put them level on the night, and they missed a few chances before, with four minutes to go, Radja Nainggolan's superb finish gave them a sniff. But they couldn't quite force the issue, though were awarded a harsh penalty in the final minute of injury-time which Nainggolan smashed home; the final whistle went immediately after kick-off.

So Liverpool are in the final - a phenomenal achievement for Jurgen Klopp and his players. And while Madrid will be favourites, they will know that they are playing a team full of confidence, energy and goals. It is going to be a belter.

What do Liverpool do in the final? Against Roma, when Liverpool were outpassed in midfield, they were able to lump the ball downfield and let their attackers get on with things. But beating Madrid will take more than that - can Jurgen Klopp find what that is? Does that even exist? And can he close the space behind Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Sadio Mane (Liverpool) No one played all that well, but he was a threat throughout and settled Liverpool's early nerves with a calm finish.

Roma: Alisson 6, Florenzi 6, Manolas 5, Fazio 5, Kolarov 6, De Rossi 6, Pellegrini 6, Nainggolan 7, Shick 6, Dzeko 6, El Sharaawy 7. Subs: Gonalons 6, Cengiz 6,antonucci 6.

Liverpool: Karius 6, Alexander-Arnold 5, Lovren 6, Van Dijk 6, Robertson 7, Henderson 5, Wijnaldum 6, Milner 6, Salah 6, Firmino 6, Mane 7. Subs: Klavan 6, Clyne 6, Solanke 6.

Liverpool have reached their eighth European Cup final, more than any other English club.

No previous Champions League semi-final has yielded 11 goals.

9’ - GOAL! Roma 0-1 Liverpool (Mane) agg 2-6 Liverpool are nearly there! Nainggolan plays a terrible square ball on the right touchline and Firmino seizes upon it, moving forward to slide a pass for Mane outside him. He takes a touch to steady himself, then sweeps a low finish into the far corner!

15’ - GOAL! Roma 1-1 Liverpool (Milner own goal) 3-6 agg Well! A long, searching ball from the right finds El Shaarawy pulling off Alexander-Arnold on the left side of the box. He's not threatening much but has far too much space, so nods powerfully across to no one, whereupon Lovren humps a clearance into Milner's humungous coupon, from which it rebounds into the net. Not gonna lie, that was pretty funny.

26’ - GOAL! Roma 1-2 Liverpool (Wijnaldum) agg 3-7 Now this is over! The corner isn't properly cleared and when it comes back, Dzeko can't get his huge noggin behind it, sending the ball behind him and playing Wijnaldum on. All he has to do is get the ball past Alisson, which he does by way or simple header, and Roma are absolutely cooked!

35’ - Roma hit the post! El Shaarawy cuts inside and across the face of goal, hitting a shot which deflects off Milner, looking for a brace, and the ball loops onto the far post.

52’ - GOAL! Roma 2-2 Liverpool (Dzeko) agg 4-7 Liverpool comes forward with three and look dangerous, but Roma repel them and break, El Shaarawy finding space behind Alexander-Arnold. He curs inside, crosses, and Karius contrives to push out not behind. still, Dzeko does really well to control, compose, and sweep a rising finish over the desperate dive. Game not quite on, but one more and you never know.

63’ - Nainggolan attacks down the right and crosses; at the near post, Dzeko's delicate flick takes the ball across the face of goal and Shick tries to bundle home. He can't, which allows El Shaarawy monster a shot ... but Alexander-Arnold is there to palm it away, with hands so close to his face that no one notices he's pulled off a blinder.

86’ - GOAL! Roma 3-2 Liverpool (Nainggolan) agg 5-7 Roma move the ball well and it ends up with Kolarov on the left. With everyone expecting a cross, he squares for Nainggolan who allows the ball across his body - almost away from him - before spanking a glorious low shot in off the far post! Roma have four minutes and injury-time to score twice!

90+3’ - GOAL! Roma 4-2 Liverpool (Nainggolan pen) agg 6-7 Nainggolan smashes the penalty high and left; Karius dives the other way.