UEFA Champions League

Marcelo’s Thunderous, 18-Yard Half-Volley Gives Real Their Vital Away Goal

It’s 1-1 at halftime in an enthralling UEFA Champions League semifinal between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena, Joshua Kimmich opening the scoring for Bayern in the 28’ before Marcelo’s sweet strike evened things up in the 44’.

Jupp Heynckes has been forced into two early substitutions with both Arjen Robben and Jerome Boateng limping off injured, but Bayern took the lead when Real failed to track the run of Kimmich. The 23-year-old left back then punished Real with a clinical finish. 

Jurgen Klopp Should Never, Ever Take Mo Salah Out Of The Game

The first leg of Liverpool Roma lived up to the billing. After a cagey first half hour where Roma had the better chances, Mo Salah took over. His goal in the 35th minute sparked a Liverpool blitzkrieg.

Where There's Smoke, There's Fire (And Liverpool Fans)

The atmosphere outside Anfield is full of smoke, fire and exactly what you'd expect from Liverpool fans. Before the first leg of the Champions League semifinal between Roma and Liverpool, at least this time around Liverpool fans have allowed the opposing players to enter the stadium without incurring significant safety risks. At least off the field.

The scenes outside Anfield looked like B roll footage from a post-apocalyptic Michael Bay movie. 

Liverpool Take Control Behind Pair Of Mo Salah Goals

Mo Salah is on another planet. After a tense first half hour of the match in which Roma had the game's best chances, Liverpool began to threaten with attacks over the top. After a few Sadio Mane missed chances, the PFA Player of the Year stepped up in a big way. Two vintage Mo Salah goals have spotted the Reds with a significant advantage at the half.

The Mo Salah Ballon d'Or Campaign Faces A Major Test Against Roma

In the past 10 years, there have been more U.S. presidents than Ballon d'Or winners. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have enjoyed a duopoly over the award, with five Ballon d'Ors each since Kaka won in 2007. The Mo Salah Ballon d'Or campagin could change that.

Alisson Becker vs. Loris Karius Is The Most Photogenic Goalkeeper Duel Of The Season

On the day before Liverpool and Roma face off at Anfield in the Champions League semifinals, Roma goalkeeper Alisson was linked (again) with Liverpool. This was, presumably, much to the chagrin of Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius, who just recently won the starting job from Simon Mignolet and has been playing very well as of late.

The real question is how these two opponents and potential rivals for Liverpool's starting job stack up head to head.

So let's go through some of the main stats, shall we?

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