Intensity is vital tomorrow. From the crowd, the players - we have to create that hostile atmosphere & try to blow them away with our high tempo game.
The away leg is going to be incredibly tough, so let's give ourselves the best chance by using that Anfield factor.
I'm not going to lie, Lovren worries me. He was great against City, he can be very good. But I'd argue his weakness is against bigger strikers, like Lukaku & Kane, both of which he couldn't handle this season. Dzeko is more that type.
People will say Van Dijk can just deal with Dzeko. But I'm not sure it is as easy as that. I'm sure that was the plan against Lukaku, but Dzeko will want to go towards the weaker CB. I can't see our CBs chopping and changing each side depending where Dzeko goes.
Personally I would feel more comfortable with Klavan over Lovren. However that brings a new issue in itself, as he plays the same side as Van Dijk. I know Van Dijk did play on the right the other day to partner Klavan, but I'm not sure playing Klavan to move Van Dijk from his favourite side is worth it, as he can just as likely get bullied by Dzeko.
TAA is going to start over Clyne. Clyne might not even be fit. I think Trent deserves the opportunity after those City matches. However what I would say if he's going to get a very different test. Sane wants to run at players & this suits Trent as he has the pace match it & his tackling is good. The weakness Trent has shown is dealing with those runs Zaha & Rashford made wide to inside of our defence, especially from flick ons, which Benteke & Lukaku made in those games. Roma must be looking at doing a similar tactic with Dzeko & either Under or more likely - El Shaarawy who have the pace to make those types of runs. So as good as Trent was against City, Roma could possibly test his weaknesses more, as City didn't have the lone striker to win those flick ons for those runs & it's not really their brand of football.
To get my last concern out of the way, I don't want to come across as negative as I think Roma have far more to worry about with our attack & team than we do with theirs, but I think we should take note of their strengths. I just think in terms of style, we have struggled more under Klopp against a team that is happy defend deep, like United have against us. Rather than the ones who have attacked us like City & our pressing game can thrive.
Regardless, I think we are rightly favourites. I think our attack, our energy, the atmosphere will be too much for them & I expect them to crumble maybe similar to how Juve did against us in 2005.
They are a dangerous team, more dangerous than City in a way given their brand of football & how they could exploit our weaknesses more.
But I fancy us to blow them away, as we're that good at doing it in such intense moments like these & at Anfield, I'll always back us especially with this team.
Prediction: 3-0
