Despite loss to Roma, Liverpool reach first Champions League final in 10 years

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Liverpool reached the 2018 UEFA Champions League final at the expense of Roma, beating them 7-6 on aggregate despite a 4-2 loss in the semifinal second-leg match on Wednesday at the Stadio Olimpico in Italy.

The English Premier League side opened the scoring just under 10 minutes through forward Sadio Mane’s clinical left-footed shot.

Roma’s equalizer was rather fortuitous after a defensive mishap led to Liverpool midfielder James Milner turning the ball into his own net on 14 minutes. The England international knew very little about it as a clearance from teammate Dejan Lovren ricocheted off the back of his head and into the net.

The Reds, however, would restore their lead moments later when Georginio Wijnaldum headed home in the 25th minute.

Edin Dzeko pulled a goal back for his side seven minutes after the start of the second-half and Radja Nainggolan added another in the 86th minute before he converted a stoppage time penalty.

Despite their best efforts, though, Roma were unable to overcome the heavy 5-2 first-leg deficit.

Liverpool will face Real Madrid in the final which will be played at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine on May 26.

Madrid beat Bayern Munich in the other semifinal match on Tuesday, defeating the German side 4-3 on aggregate over two legs to reach their third consecutive final in as many years.

The Spanish giants will be hoping to defend their crown and become the first club in the competition’s history to win the trophy three times in a row.

Liverpool, who haven’t reached the Champions League final since 2007 when they lost 2-1 to AC Milan, will be optimistic about their chances of winning their sixth European trophy.