Liverpool stars arrive for final briefing ahead of tonight's bid to crush Roma and put one foot in the Champions League final
Liverpool stars arrive for final briefing ahead of tonight's bid to crush Roma and put one foot in the Champions League final
Liverpool players have arrived at the club's training centre in Melwood to undergo the final stage of their preparations ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Roma.
Mohamed Salah, fresh from winning the PFA Player of the Year award on Sunday, was among the first to arrive with the likes of Roberto Firmino and manager Jurgen Klopp joining him soon after.
The German coach will, as per usual, run his players through a light session ahead of what is likely to be another memorable European night at Anfield, where they face Serie A side Roma.
Mohamed Salah arrives at Liverpool's training ground in Melwood on Tuesday morning
The Egyptian forward is greeted by the local postman as he turns into the training ground
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp drives into Melwood for Liverpool's latest training session
Roberto Firmino pictured as he enters Liverpool's training ground ahead of Tuesday's game
Liverpool are slight favourites going into the tie as they seek to add a sixth European title to the club's illustrious list of honours, but they will be taking nothing for granted against a Roma side who knocked out favourites Barcelona in the last round.
The players will expect another partisan atmosphere inside Anfield, which came out in force during their quarter-final first leg against Manchester City and inspired them to a 3-0 win that set them on a path to the final four.
Klopp has, however, asked the fans to refrain from a repeat of the shameful scenes outside the stadium on an otherwise positive evening, when the Manchester City bus was pelted with rocks and bottles to leave several windows broken.
He hopes Anfield will be even noisier than it was for the match against the Premier League champions, but does not want supporters to overstep the mark again.
Sadio Mane smiles for the cameras as he turns into Liverpool's training ground on Tuesday
Van Dijk waves for the cameras as the Liverpool players put in final preparations for Roma
Trent Alexander-Arnold focuses on the road ahead as he arrives at Melwood on Tuesday
'In the stadium, do it again — and better,' said Klopp. 'Out of the stadium, please show the respect we have to show. This is such a fantastic football club, outstanding football family, known for fantastic atmospheres all over the world, so we don't need to throw whatever at the bus.
'Please show the respect they deserve. We are opponents on the pitch but I really think we can show how wonderful Liverpool people are and the city and the spirit of the club. We can show it 20 minutes before the game and then the whole world knows it. All the people here deserve that we show this.'
The game will also see Salah, who has 41 goals to his name this season, come up against his former club for the first time since leaving last summer. The Egyptian made his name with Roma before joining Liverpool in a then club-record deal of £36.9million and has since proved excellent value for money.
Even so, Roma president James Pallotta has claimed that compatriot and Liverpool owner John W. Henry was left 'bitching' at the price his club had to pay to get their man.
Speaking to ESPN, Pallotta said: 'He was sort of bitching a little about, "Did we overpay? I think we overpaid." And I said, "I'll buy you lunch".'
Liverpool striker Danny Ings comes in ahead of Liverpool manager Klopp (pictured behind)
Goalkeeper Loris Karius follows his Liverpool team-mates into the training ground on Tuesday
Spanish left-back Alberto Moreno arrives in his left-hand drive car ahead of the final session
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