Georginio Wijnaldum believes the experience of Liverpool surviving an onslaught from Manchester City in the quarterfinals of the Champio...
Georginio Wijnaldum believes the experience of Liverpool surviving an onslaught from Manchester City in the quarterfinals of the Champions League can help him and his teammates when they play at Roma on Wednesday.
Liverpool lead Roma 5-2 after the first leg of their Champions League semifinal at Anfield last week, with Eusebio Di Francesco's team needing to overturn a three-goal deficit at the Stadio Olimpico if they are to reach their first European Cup final since 1984 -- when they lost to Liverpool on penalties.
Jurgen Klopp's side found themselves in a similar situation in the previous round as they headed to City for the second leg 3-0 up on aggregate. Gabriel Jesus scored inside two minutes on that night in April, but Liverpool stood firm against the Premier League champions, scoring two second-half goals to win the tie 5-1.
"I think we were too impressed by the way they [City] were playing," Wijnaldum said. "We knew it would be difficult and hard, but we didn't know how hard it would be -- and in that case, you are lucky the game has two halves to play as we could recover after the first half and play a good second half.
"We were surprised, I think, with their unbelievable attacking speed. We were motivated and concentrated but surprised, we weren't really ready for what was to come. [Klopp] said we didn't need to be scared. We just [had] to play our own game and if we played football, we would create chances as there was so much space in behind."
Wijnaldum said Liverpool initially dropped too deep because they were "maybe a little bit too scared," but they proved they can adapt.
"It will always help you," Wijnaldum said. "You will always learn from games. But every game is not the same, not the same emotion. It is important you deal with that situation at that moment.
"We know what we can expect [against Roma]. With City, they have so many quality players you have to be aware of everything and it is almost impossible to stop them. That is why it is really good we still [won]."
Roma had to overturn a 4-1 result from the first leg of their quarterfinal meeting with Barcelona and eventually went through to the semifinals on away goals.
"I saw videos of it. I think it is a warning," Wijnaldum said. "I watched it myself but also in the team meetings.
"I think in that game they showed they didn't change their style. They played with high pressing trying to score goals even when they knew if they conceded a goal, it would be more difficult. I think they will do the same against us."
With a frontline of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, who have combined to score 88 goals in all competitions this term, Wijnaldum said Liverpool head to Italy confident about adding to their advantage.
"We always have confidence we can score, especially the way we play," he said. "We have confidence, but every game is different. Some days you don't score but then you have to make sure you don't concede. That is what we have to do.
"We can create chances if we play our game, not only with the counter-attack. We both play really attacking football, but of course, we will have more chance with counter-attacks -- but it depends where their last line will start. Maybe their last line will drop deep and that will make it more difficult."
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