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Liverpool: Five AS Roma players that the Reds will need to watch

By Wilko Martinez Cachero

ROME, ITALY - APRIL 10: Edin Dzeko of Roma (top) celebrates with team mates after the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg match between AS Roma and FC Barcelona at Stadio Olimpico on April 10, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - APRIL 10: Edin Dzeko of Roma (top) celebrates with team mates after the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg match between AS Roma and FC Barcelona at Stadio Olimpico on April 10, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 20: Radja Nainggolan of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AS Roma at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on August 20, 2017 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 20: Radja Nainggolan of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AS Roma at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on August 20, 2017 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images) /

No.3: Radja Nainggolan

The Belgian talisman makes Roma tick in midfield. Shielded by Kevin Strootman and Daniele De Rossi, Nainggolan can get forward and add to Roma’s attacking play. He plays roughly two key passes per game, is tidy with the ball, and loves putting in a good challenge.

He hasn’t reached the heights of last season for Roma when he scored 14 goals and had 7 assists, but he’ll be well up for this Champions League tie.

Liverpool’s midfield relies mostly on physical power and tireless work, but Roma has all of that, plus creativity and a longer history of defensive solidarity. A good midfield is the key to a great team and, with Nainggolan and company, Roma have what it takes to outclass Liverpool in the middle of the pitch.

There was a lot of speculation in January that Chelsea wanted to buy Nainggolan. He is exactly the kind of aggressive midfielder they have been lacking this season. That led some Liverpool fans to speculate about the Belgian joining international teammates Simon Mignolet and Divock Origi at Anfield.

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