Mohamed Salah magic leads Liverpool to 5-2 win over Roma in Champions League semis

Salah produced two world-class finishes in the first half then set up further goals for Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino to help his team into a scarcely believable five-goal lead in the Champions League semifinals.

Salah produced two world-class finishes in the first half then set up further goals for Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino to help his team into a scarcely believable five-goal lead in the Champions League semifinals. In pic: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores his side's second goal of the game against Roma during their Champions League, Semifinal first leg soccer match at Anfield. (Photo | AP) 

After Salah was substituted in the 75th minute, Roma seized the initiative and scored two late goals to escape from Anfield with a 5-2 loss from the first leg on Tuesday. In pic: Roma's Maxime Gonalons, center, duels for the ball with Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum. (Photo | AP)

Liverpool had just become the first team in 23 years to score five goals in one leg of a semifinal, yet its players left the field thinking it was an opportunity lost. In pic: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, 2nd right, celebrates with his teammates their side's third goal. (Photo | AP)

A three-goal deficit will not scare Roma's players after what happened against Barcelona. Yet it is highly unlikely that Liverpool, the master of the counterattack, will fail to score against a side that has to take chances going forward. In pic: Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker, right, Juan Jesus, center, and Daniele De Rossi react after Liverpool's Sadio Mane scoring his side's third goal. (Photo | AP)

Roma's Edin Dzeko celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Champions League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between Liverpool and Roma at Anfield Stadium. (Photo | AP)

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp hugs Liverpool's Mohamed Salah after he was substituted. (Photo | AP)

Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco, right, gives instructions to his players during the Champions League semifinal. (Photo | AP)

Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is carried on a stretcher after getting injured during the Champions League semifinal. (Photo | AP)

Liverpool players celebrate after Roberto Firmino scored their fifth goal during the Champions League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between Liverpool and AS Roma at Anfield Stadium. (Photo | AP)