Liverpool’s Champions League encounter with Roma, aside its intensity, served up its own moment of bizarreness. The Reds nearly went in front in the opening minutes of proceeding in the first half when Mohamed Salah’s pass found Roberto Firmino inside AS Roma’s penalty area.
The Brazilian forward quickly latched on to the ball but failed to convert the chance as he fired the ball across the opposition’s goal post. However, he was marginally offside and although the lineman on the right flank managed to spot it, he was unable to draw the referee’s attention as he had his flag off its pole.
The linesman at Anfield tonight #LFC #LIVROM pic.twitter.com/e1GOsMzMzi
— Jules Breach (@julesbreach) April 24, 2018
The biggest club competition in European football, and the linesman’s flags are broken 4 minutes in #LiverpoolRoma pic.twitter.com/SMc7lMSNEb
— Graeme Scott (@G_Juve87) April 24, 2018
Linesman running along with just the stick part of the flag genuinely trying to do a good job is one of the best things I've seen.
— Mootaz Chehade (@MHChehade) April 24, 2018
Linesman looking at his flag like... #LIVROM pic.twitter.com/BXatZBqx2Q
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) April 24, 2018
Tonight’s linesman doing his best Harry Potter impression... pic.twitter.com/1qCGqublL7
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) April 24, 2018
Sadio Mane, subsequently, had the chance to fire the hosts in front but failed to convert any of the two glorious opportunities he got. However, his side took the lead into the half-time via two moments of brilliance by the free-scoring former AS Roma star, Mohamed Salah.