In tonight's UEFA Champions League, Liverpool host Roma in the semi-final first leg hoping to provide the Anfield faithful with a similar performance which saw them blow away Premier League Champions Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in the last round. The Reds stunning display in the quarter-finals, to go with the Italian's heroic 3-goal fight back against Barcelona, means this encounter has all the makings to be a classic with both sides aiming to continue exceeding expectations on the European stage. Mike Fox has more.

A 2-2 draw with bottom club West Brom at the weekend isn't the best way to prepare for a Champions League semifinal, but as Liverpool gear up for Roma, a special night of European football awaits Anfield where fans have renewed optimism under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp. The German is enjoying every moment of the adventure he has taken the club on, but wants the fans to show their visitors some respect to avoid the ugly scenes which saw Manchester City's bus attacked earlier in the month.

JURGEN KLOPP LIVERPOOL MANAGER "This is such a fantastic football club, such an outstanding football family, known for fantastic atmospheres all over the world. So we don't need to throw whatever at the bus of the other team. If we can do what we did, creating an atmosphere in front of the stadium, let's do it – I'm a big fan of that. But, please, show the respect they deserve."

Recalled after being rested on Saturday are key men, Roberto Firmino, Dejan Lovren, Andrew Robertson and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain. And while those four are pivotal to the Reds success, look no further than Mohammed Salah in terms of who has the most influence. The forward has had a good week after winning the PFA players player award and now he's raring to go against his old team.

JURGEN KLOPP LIVERPOOL MANAGER "I'm pretty sure Mo follows the whole season of Roma, he had a fantastic time there, he became the player there which we now have here. Big, big credit to all the staff and players at Roma because they are all part of his development. Yes, it's strange but in the end we are all professionals. Italian defenders are famous for not having friendly games so I think Mo will feel pretty early in the game that they are not his teammates anymore and then he can strike back in a football way."

On the Italian side of things, Roma continue to exceed expectations. An average Serie A campaign has been overshadowed by what's happening on the continent. The last time they reached this stage was in 1984 where they eventually lost out to Liverpool in the final on penalties. Bruce Grobbelaar's infamous wobbly legs proving to be the key factor. The Italians could welcome back Diego Perotti who has been sidelined for three weeks with a hamstring problem but still missing are Rick Karsdorp and Gregoire Defrel with thigh and calf issues respectively. Coach Eusebio Di Francesco is expecting a tough two legs but believes his team has a real chance if they can survive the Anfield onslaught

EUSEBIO DI FRANCESCO ROMA COACH "Fundamentally, it will be about the team. We need to repeat our collective performance against Barcelona. We know we are coming up against a much different team than Barcelona in terms of their rhythm and intensity, but we must match their competitiveness in this game."

Even the most optimistic Roma and Liverpool supporters wouldn't have expected either club to be in this position. After both knocked out two of the favourites there's a real belief in both camps they can defeat anyone, not to mention each other. Mike Fox CGTN.