Liverpool have advanced to the UEFA Champions League final, where they will face Real Madrid, despite losing 4-2 to AS Roma in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday.

The Reds held a commanding lead heading into the second leg after romping to a 5-2 win at Anfield last week.

Despite a promising start from Roma, it was the Reds who took the lead this week after just nine minutes thanks to a strike from Sadio Mane, who became the first player to score at the Stadio Olimpico in the Champions League this season.

Five minutes later, Roma were level on the night as Trent Alexander-Arnold's clearance hit James Milner and ricocheted into the back of the net.

It was an evenly contested affair, but the Reds restored their lead on 25 minutes as an unmarked Georginio Wijnaldum headed past Alisson after a poor headed clearance from Edin Dzeko.

Roma did go close to leveling matters with 10 minutes remaining in the first-half when Stephan El Shaarawy's shot took a deflection and crashed against the upright.

That proved to be the final piece of goal-mouth action in the half as the visitors went into the break leading 2-1 on the night and 7-3 on aggregate

Edin Dzeko leveled matters for Roma eight minutes into the second stanza with a close-range finish after Karius parried El Shaarawy’s strike into his path.

The hosts enjoyed a good spell after the hour-mark, with Dzeko the danger man in the middle of their attack, forcing the Reds to defend in numbers.

Dzeko almost got the third goal for Roma 20 minutes from time, but his half-volley sailed over the bar, before he was denied by a fine save by Karius a few minutes later,

Radja Nainggolan made it 3-2 for Roma four minutes before the end with a cracking strike that crashed in off the inside post to set up a nervy few final minutes.

In time added on, Roma were awarded a penalty, which Nainggolan converted with aplomb, but it that was the final kick of the game as the Reds held on to advance to the final, winning 7-6 on aggregate.