Liverpool and Arsenal chasing European glory for England

Liverpool and Arsenal each face tricky looking ties as they bid to reach the finals of their respective European competitions this season.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have been drawn against Roma in the last four of the Champions League, while the Gunners will face Atletico Madrid in the Europa League.

Read on as we take a look at their chances of progressing to Europe’s top club finals.

Liverpool vs Roma – Champions League

The Reds deservedly defeated Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, but Roma’s triumph over Barcelona was even more impressive.

The Serie A side lost 4-1 in Spain, but they roared back in the return game to win 3-0 and progress to the last four on away goals.

Klopp’s side will play the first leg at Anfield on April 24, before heading to Rome’s Olympic Stadium for the return fixture on May 2.

With a near 73,000 capacity and an atmosphere to rival many of Europe’s top stadiums, Roma’s home is a superb venue.

The Reds will hope for a healthy following in Italy, and fans thinking of watching the game can compare football tickets online before travelling.

Liverpool have won just nine of their previous 25 meetings with Italian clubs, although in two-legged knockout ties they have won four and lost two.

The Merseyside club previously defeated Roma on aggregate in the Europa League in 2001 and they recorded a win and a draw during the second group stage in the Champions League the following season.

Roma won their first three two-legged knockout ties against English clubs – but they have since lost six out of six.

However, they finished top of their group above Chelsea and Atletico Madrid in the first stage of the competition and their comeback against Barcelona showed that they should not be underestimated.

The winners of the tie will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final in Kiev on May 26.

Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid – Europa League

Arsenal face Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Europa League knowing that success in this tournament will probably keep manager Arsene Wenger in a job.

The competition is the Gunners’ last chance of silverware this term and offers the club a route into the lucrative Champions League if they can win the trophy.

The first leg takes place on April 26 at the Emirates Stadium, with the return match at Atletico’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium the following Thursday.

Arsenal finished top of Group H in the first stage with 13 points from their six matches. They had a minor scare against Swedish side FK Ostersunds in the round of 32 before securing a 4-2 aggregate success, and went on to beat Milan 5-1 overall in the last 16.

The Gunners recovered from 2-0 down to draw the second leg of their quarter-final at CSKA Moscow 2-2, progressing to the last four 6-3 on aggregate.

Atletico entered the Europa League at the round of 32 having finished third in their Champions League group behind Roma and Chelsea.

They went on to beat Denmark’s FC Copenhagen 5-1 on aggregate, before crushing Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow 8-1 overall in the last 16.

They subsequently defeated Sporting Lisbon 2-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals and represent Arsenal’s toughest challenge in the competition this season.

The winners of the tie will face either Marseille or Red Bull Salzburg in the final in Lyon on May 16.

Liverpool and Arsenal chasing European glory for England

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