Liverpool to Hold Meeting Ahead of Roma Match After Attack on Fan

Liverpool have arranged a meeting with officials from Roma, Italian police and UEFA on Friday amid fears over the safety of supporters travelling to the Italian capital next week.

When the Reds met Roma on Tuesday at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, Liverpool supporter Sean Cox was left in a critical condition after he was attacked by two men from Rome, per BBC Sport.

In a statement released on Thursday on the club's official website, Liverpool said they will do whatever they can to ensure fans travelling to the second leg on Wednesday are safe. 

"Liverpool have sought clarity on a number of issues surrounding the matchday operation since the draw was made and is hoping this extraordinary meeting will provide the necessary reassurances and essential information," read a section of the bulletin. "This, if provided, will allow the club to fully inform supporters of the measures that will be in place."

After the attack on the supporter outside Anfield, both Liverpool and Roma condemned the violence. 

Roma posted the following message on their Twitter account offering their support to Cox, who suffered head injuries outside Anfield:

As noted by the BBC, Filippo Lombardi and Daniele Sciusco have both been charged with violent disorder in relation to the incident, while the former has also been accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Author and journalist Tony Evans outlined the reputation Rome has, with a number of visiting teams from England having encountered serious hooliganism at the Stadio Olimpico in the past:

Although UEFA said they were "deeply shocked" at what happened on Tuesday, BBC Sport's Dan Roan pointed out it wasn't the first time violence has taken place:

Liverpool will take a 5-2 lead to the Italian capital for the second leg of the semi-final after former Roma man Mohamed Salah inspired the Reds to a memorable win at Anfield.

Roma will not feel out of the tie yet, though. In the previous round, they battled back from a 4-1 deficit against Barcelona, winning 3-0 in the second leg in Rome to secure a historic triumph on away goals.