Liverpool in Champions League final despite loss

ROME (AP):

Liverpool advanced to their first Champions League final in more than a decade, despite a 4-2 loss at Roma yesterday.

The Reds scored two early goals and that was all they needed to advance 7-6 on aggregate, after a 5-2 win in the first leg of the semi-finals.

Sadio Mane took advantage of a misplaced Roma pass to put Liverpool ahead nine minutes in and Georginio Wijnaldum restored the advantage with a header after Milner's own goal.

Edin Dzeko equalised for Roma early in the second half and Radja Nainggolan scored two late goals for the hosts, as the Giallorossi narrowly missed out on another miracle, after their stunning 3-0 second-leg victory over Barcelona in the quarter-finals.

In the May 26 final in Kiev, Ukraine, Liverpool will face two-time defending champions Real Madrid.

Madrid beat Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate in the other semi-final.

Liverpool last reached the final in 2007, when they lost to AC Milan, having won the last of their five titles over Milan two years earlier.

There were concerns of fan violence surrounding the match after two men from Rome were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an assault outside the stadium before the first leg in Liverpool.

Supporters of both clubs met at Rome's City Hall earlier yesterday to condemn violence and express solidarity with Sean Cox, the Liverpool supporter, who was severely injured in the clashes last week.

Inside the stadium, fans of both sides lit flares in the stands before kick-off. It was so loud at one point that the Champions League anthem couldn't be heard.

With Liverpool advancing and Roma winning the match, both sets of fans applauded their clubs at the final whistle.