Mohamed Salah, Liverpool to Face Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid in UCL Final

Liverpool will play Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final despite slipping to a 4-2 defeat to Roma on Wednesday. Two late goals from Radja Nainggolan secured victory for the hosts on the night, but Liverpool progress 7-6 on aggregate.

The Reds got off to the perfect start with Sadio Mane firing them ahead after just nine minutes but were pegged back quickly by a freak James Milner own goal.

Georginio Wijnaldum restored Liverpool's lead on 26 minutes with his first-ever goal away from home for the Reds, before Edin Dzeko levelled in the second half for the hosts.

Roma pressed hard in the second half, but it took until the 86th minute for Nainggolan to make it 3-2, and although he added a second from the penalty spot in stoppage time, Liverpool managed to hold on.

Real Madrid Defence Will Fear Liverpool

Roma had not conceded a single goal in the Champions League at the Stadio Olimpico until Liverpool came to town, but it took the Reds less than nine minutes to break the deadlock.

The goal came from a mistake by Nainggolan as he gave the ball away, but from then on Liverpool showed how ruthless their attack can be. Roberto Firmino swept forward and found Mane, who fired clinically past Alisson.

Opta showed Liverpool's impressive record in the competition:

A second goal followed on 26 minutes, as Wijnaldum profited from some poor defending to head past goalkeeper Alisson. 

Liverpool are the top scorers in the competition, have scored in every away game in the Champions League this season and will fancy continuing that record against Real Madrid in the final.

One of the Best Own Goals You'll Ever See

Roma were level within five minutes with the type of own goal that will take some beating.

Roma floated the ball into the box, and although it was headed back across goal, Dejan Lovren was on hand to clear. Unfortunately for the defender, his clearance hit Milner on the head and then landed in the back of the Liverpool net.

Football on BT Sport captured the moment:

It was a freak goal that was pretty amusing to watch, but it's Milner and Liverpool who had the last laugh as they progress.

Roma Provide More Embarrassment for Barcelona

Roma booked their place in the semi-finals after a remarkable comeback victory over Barcelona. Eusebio Di Francesco's team lost the first leg 4-1 but won 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico to progress on away goals.

It was the biggest shock of the knockout stages and looks even stranger given how Barcelona have gone on to complete a league-and-cup double and remain unbeaten in La Liga.

Squawka's Muhammed Butt had a theory as to how Barcelona lost:

Despite Barcelona's successes this season, there's no doubt the defeat to Roma has taken some of the gloss off their achievements. Watching Roma's performances against Liverpool will have only increased their sense of disappointment at what might have been.

Late-Game Sloppiness Could Cost Liverpool in the Final

Liverpool looked to be holding on pretty comfortably at the Stadio Olimpico, but two late goals from Nainggolan meant the Reds only won the game 7-6 on aggregate.

It was the same story in the first leg at Anfield when Roma scored twice at the end of the game. The Reds also threw away a two-goal lead at West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League recently.

Luke Edwards at the Daily Telegraph noted how Liverpool tend to tire in games:

The Reds can't afford any sloppiness in the final against Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane's side have proved in the competition how tough they are to beat and will take advantage of any vulnerability.

Klopp Faces Battle to End Finals Curse

Jurgen Klopp will head to Kiev hoping to end a poor record in major finals but faces a tricky test against the team that have won the competition for the last two seasons.

WhoScored.com showed his record:

Meanwhile, Real Madrid seem to thrive in finals, as shown by Opta:

There's no doubt that Liverpool have the players to cause Real Madrid problems. However, Klopp has to prove he has what it takes to mastermind victory over the reigning champions.

Roma Will Feel Wronged by the Referee

Roma were awarded a penalty in stoppage time after substitute Ragnar Klavan was penalised for handball but may feel they should have had another one, or even two.

Trent Alexander-Arnold appeared to block a Stephan El Shaarawy shot with his hand. Football writer Greg Lea seemed convinced it was a spot-kick:

Edin Dzeko also thought he'd won a penalty only for the play to be pulled back for offside. Journalist Tancredi Palmeri did not agree with the decision:

Paul Joyce at The Times showed what Roma president James Pallotta thought of the referee:

Liverpool were the better team over the two legs, but Roma may feel that with a bit more luck on their side they may just have pulled off another miraculous comeback.

Mane Outshines Salah

Mohamed Salah has been brilliant all season for Liverpool, but it was not his night, as he returned to his former team and had a quiet display by his standards.

However, Mane was in superb form, and his early goal settled any Liverpool nerves. The Champions League showed how great his form is in the competition:

Mane could have had a penalty when he looked to have been fouled by Kostas Manolas and also went close with another effort that forced Alisson into a good save.

Real Madrid Need Dani Carvajal Fit

Real Madrid were without Dani Carvajal against Bayern Munich and employed winger Lucas Vazquez as a right-back in his absence.

Zidane will no doubt be praying Carvajal will be fit for the clash against Liverpool, particularly with Mane in such red-hot form.

The sheer pace of Liverpool's front three has caused teams problems all season, and Bayern Munich created plenty of chances against Real Madrid but were let down by poor finishing.

What Next?

Liverpool will return to Premier League action on Sunday and face a tricky trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea. A win for the Blues would see them close to within three points of Jurgen Klopp’s side, having played a game fewer. Roma also play on Sunday and take on Cagliari in Serie A.