Liverpool and Roma have already exceeded all expectations – now they must defy another to reach Champions League final

As the excitement builds up, and Anfield gets ready for another one of those occasions, Jurgen Klopp summed up one issue around the clash.

“A lot of people expected this semi-final to be Barcelona v Manchester City but it’s not because it’s football. I came up the stairs at Man City and someone told me Roma won 3-0 and I said it is not possible because they are playing Barcelona, but I love this game because of it. Maybe Liverpool and Roma’s situation is similar in our domestic leagues because we have big competitors, but first and foremost we have to enjoy our own football. A lot of teams can win the title but it’s our job to show the best we can, even if it’s not enough to win the league, we have to show it.”

That is just one other reason this Champions League semi-final stands out. Both Liverpool and Roma are proud and prestigious big clubs, who have recently been made feel that bit smaller by the effect of economics on the modern game. Indeed, consider this: Their pairing is the first Champions League semi-final since 2011 that doesn’t involve one of Barca, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus or Atletico Madrid.

A certain determined defiance is required to get this far in that kind of context, and that is precisely what is driving these two sides.

Their qualities – both those of the teams, and those of their managers – have been amplified by a real sense of destiny, that is now empowering everything they do.

READ MORE: Klopp eases pressure on Liverpool ahead of semi

READ MORE: Where next for departing Wenger?

All of the talk at Liverpool is that there is a “2004-05 vibe” around the team, and a second’s taste of atmosphere at Anfield tonight will only further emphasise that – and only make the team believe even more. That genuinely can’t be discounted. The stadium’s power was so talked up before the Manchester City quarter-final, to the point it sounded over the top and a bit of a myth – only for the sound and the result on the pitch to prove it all true.

This is what Roma are facing.

But then this is what Liverpool are facing. The nature of that sensational comeback against Barcelona that so enraptured Klopp has made Roma feel invincible, and it shouldn’t be discounted as too much of a freak either. That second leg was in-keeping with some of the bombastic football they’ve played throughout this Champions League campaign, especially the 3-0 home win over Chelsea.

It is why both sides will be fearless, but should still be wary of each other.

There will be no danger of either manager thinking this forgiving draw will be a pushover, mind, as Klopp made sure to credit the astute Eusebio Di Francesco.

“We both wear glasses, we are bad shavers,” he says. “We’ve gone in similar way to the big clubs, he started with smaller clubs and had some success, like we did. He loves football and that is obvious. He has a football playing side so maybe there are a few similarities but that doesn’t make it easier for him or me.”

Another similarity is in the surging – and somewhat surprising – form of one main goalscorer. Edin Dzeko may not quite be performing at the level of his former teammate Mohamed Salah, but he is performing better than the more unconstructed Salah who was at Roma last season – and that at a point in his career when few might have expected it.

Those at Roma didn’t expect such an explosion from Salah, but that will mean they will be well prepared by Di Francesco before the game.

“Italian defenders are famous for not having friendly games,” Klopp joked. “So I think Mo will know pretty soon that they are not his teammates anymore and then he can strike back in football terms.”

Liverpool themselves are going to have to be alert to the power of that Roma attack.

It is why this is unlikely to be a cagey semi-final, and could well see as many goals as both clubs’ quarters.

Both sides are too primed by the chance of achieving something precious, of doing something special. It is a feeling money can’t buy.

Both Liverpool and Roma have already defied so much. They’ll now have to defy each other.