Liverpool legend Didi Hamann believes Jurgen Klopp’s men will be happy to curb their natural attacking instincts after admitting Roma’s late rally last week ‘opened the door’ for a comeback.
The Reds were about to book their plane tickets to Kiev after a rollicking performance at Anfield that saw them go 5-0 up in the space of 33 minutes either side of half-time.
To their credit, Roma refused to roll over and goals from Edin Dzeko and Diego Perotti mean an improbable 3-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico would do it – the same scoreline that shocked Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
Dietmar Hamann is coming to Dubai for the DHL Swing Against Cancer Golf Series
Liverpool have no qualms about going gung-ho in attack – they are the Champions League’s top-scorers this season with 38 – but 2005 winner Hamann expects his former side to be clever on the counter this time around.
“I think (the late goals) opened the door for Roma,” said Hamann, who is in Dubai for the DHL Swing against Cancer Golf Series at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Thursday.
“They did it against Barcelona. Even though it’s hard to see Liverpool not scoring in the form they’re in at present, it’s certainly a lot better for Roma because at least it gives them a chance.
“If Roma want to have a chance they have to defend better. Their defending was shambolic on Tuesday last week. It was nowhere near good enough for a team that wants to progress to the Champions League final.
“I think Liverpool will be sitting deep. I don’t think they’ll give Roma too much opportunity to get in behind them.
“They did it very well against Manchester City (in the quarter-finals) when they did defend the three-goal lead. That’s something Liverpool has been lacking in recent years is to soak up pressure, to defend leads, to be more streetwise.”
The main reason that Liverpool can afford to trust their defence is Virgil van Dijk, the £75 million January signing who has transformed their fortunes at the back.
Since the start of February, Klopp’s side have conceded just 11 goals in the 15 games the Dutch centre-back has played in – and Hamann says he’s made a big difference for the attack too.
“If you look at the stats, the goals conceded are less since he’s there,” added Hamann of Van Dijk. “They don’t look like conceding every time another team attacks and I think it is a different team, especially defensively.
“They’ve always been good in attack, but I think its gives them an extra dimension going forward because I think they’ve got a lot more confidence in the defence and the defensive stability, which in a way takes the pressure off a little bit.
“If you leak goals you know you need to score two, three to win games which puts more pressure on the forwards. I think this is gone now.”
Hamann will be competing at the DHL Open this Thursday and then entertaining guests at a gala dinner with a Q&A session at Jumeirah Golf Estates. For more information, visit www.swingagainstcancer.com.
