UCL: Salah on target again as Liverpool knockout City

Egypt international, Mohamed Salah, struck again as Liverpool came from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 in the Champions League quarter final second leg tie at the Etihad stadium.

Gabriel Jesus gave City an early lead, before two goals from Salah and Firmino sealed the win.

It was Salah’s eighth goal of the season in Europe, but the Reds’ Brazilian forward, Roberto Firmino, scored the decisive goal to give Liverpool an astonishing 5-1 aggregate win.

The win sees Liverpool reach the CL semifinal, for the first time in nine years.

A brilliant performance in the first leg at Anfield gave the visitors a handy 3-0 lead heading into the second leg.

However, a blazing start from their host saw Jurgen Klopp side find themselves 1-0 behind within three minutes, after Gabriel Jesus latched on to a Raheem Sterling pass to put his side ahead early on.

The first half an hour belonged to the home side, who dominated Liverpool, and deservedly were ahead thanks to that strike by Jesus.

City continued to control the game, and nearly doubled their advantage a couple of times through Bernardo Silva, who came close twice.

First, he blasted a left footed drive wide, after dancing around Lovren, before rattling the post few minutes later with another shot, which was deflected by Dejan Lovren.

The home side thought they had doubled their lead, after Leroy Sane had the ball in the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside despite the ball coming off James Milner, before Liverpool nearly grabbed an equaliser on the stroke of half.

An excellent counter attacking move by away side sees Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain through on goal, but the ex-Gunner man couldn’t keep his composure, shooting wide, Liverpool’s first shot of the night.

A dominant first half from City sees them go into the break with a mountain still to climb in the second 45minutes.

Liverpool started the second half in positive fashion, but it was short lived as City swiftly took over control of proceedings.

But despite their dominance, the PL champions-elect, managed by Pep Guardiola, who was sent to the stands, found Liverpool a difficult nut to crack.

While City were doing the playing, Liverpool hit the sucker punch, when Salah’s wonderful chip drew them level, following a mazy run by Sadio Mane.

The Egyptian has now scored 39goals this season, 8 of which have come in the Champions League.

With 13minutes left, Firmino all but sealed the win when he capitalised on a defensive error by Nicolas Otamendi to score Liverpool’s second, earning them a dramatic win.

The Reds become the first team to beat City three times this season, sealing a semifinal place for the first time in almost one decade.

Manolas The Hero As Roma Shock Barcelona

Kostantinos Manolas was the hero, as AS Roma sent Barcelona packing following a 3-0 thrashing in their CL quarter final game at the Stadio Olympico.

Barca came into the game leading 4-1 from the first leg, but goals from Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi and Manolas earned the Italians a stunning 5-5 win on away goals. (Edited)

Roma secure a semifinal place for the first time in history, doing so in brilliant style, after a sixth clean sheet at home in seven home games.