Tony Evans on Liverpool vs AS Roma and why fans around Anfield still remember a ‘city filled with collective rage’

Liverpool's first Champions League semi-final in a decade sees them face the team they defeated in the final 34 years ago.

But the 1984 European Cup final is remembered for its backdrop of hostility, violence and on-pitch drama.

The match itself went the distance, with Liverpool securing a dramatic penalty shootout victory over AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico in Rome. It would Alan Kennedy who converted the decisive spot-kick.

Liverpool were underdogs ahead of the game, despite their own illustrious European record having won the competition three of the previous six seasons.

The Giallorossi, so convinced their side would win their first European Cup, had pictures of the trophy adorned with the club’s infamous colours of deep red and gold.

But pre-match confidence turned to violence, with Liverpool fans subjected to stabbing attacks before game.

At full time, as Liverpool celebrated their fourth title in seven years, more chaos followed.

Standard Sport columnist Tony Evans experienced the hostile environment first-hand that night, and believes Jurgen Klopp's side could face a similar atmosphere over this season’s two-legged tie with over the next fortnight.

“It was the most hostile atmosphere I have ever experienced,” he told Standard Sport’s Vaishali Bhardwaj. “It was so violent on that night, so horrible, that it actually marked Liverpool fans and changed the way they perceived going to Europe and playing in European games.”

"A lot of people around Anfield have long memories of what happened in Rome and would like to see Roma beaten badly."

Watch the full interview in the video at the top of the article, as Vaishali and Tony discuss the European Cup victory in 1984, Mohamed Salah coming up against his former side for the first time since leaving Roma last summer and why the Italians will prove dangerous opposition for Liverpool at Anfield.