Champions League semi-finals lowdown: How Liverpool compare to rivals

Then there were four, but not just any four, as Europe’s biggest leagues all still have a hand in the Champions League as the competition enters the semi-finals.

It is the first time since 2010 that Europe’s premier club competition has had four different countries represented in the semi-finals as Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Roma all pursue success.

But who will eventually come out on top as the final in Kiev edges closer? Sportsmail takes a closer look at the final four in the Champions League and why this is their year.

Bayern Munich

Road to the semi-finals 

Group stage

Bayern Munich 3-0 Anderlecht

Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich 3-0 Celtic

Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich

Anderlecht 1-2 Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain 

Last-16

Bayern Munich 5-0 Besiktas

Besiktas 1-3 Bayern Munich (1-8 agg)

Quarter-final

Sevilla 1-2 Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich 0-0 Sevilla (2-1 agg) 

Bayern Munich's Sven Ulreich (left), Thomas Muller (centre) and Arjen Robben celebrate progression after beating Sevilla in the quarter-finals following a 0-0 draw at the Allianz Arena

Bayern Munich’s Sven Ulreich (left), Thomas Muller (centre) and Arjen Robben celebrate progression after beating Sevilla in the quarter-finals following a 0-0 draw at the Allianz Arena

Outright odds

2/1

Top scorer

Robert Lewandowski (5)

2007-08: DNQ

2008-09: Quarter-finals

2009-10: Runners-up

2010-11: Last-16

2011-12: Runners-up 

2012-13: Winners

2013-14: Semi-finals

2014-15: Semi-finals

2015-16: Semi-finals

2016-17: Quarter-finals 

Bayern Munich are looking to win back the Champions League trophy they last held in 2013

Bayern Munich are looking to win back the Champions League trophy they last held in 2013

Why this is their year…

Because they have the man in charge who knows exactly how to win the Champions League and how to win it with Bayern Munich.

Jupp Heynckes may only be back at the Allianz Arena on an interim basis for this season but having won the Champions League as part of a treble back in 2013 is now looking to return the trophy, which he never got the chance to defend, to the Allianz Arena outfit.

While Bayern have gone a little under the radar in Europe this term, there has been a ruthless efficiency about them that makes the German champions just as dangerous as they have ever been. 

Boss Jupp Heynckes will hope to end his interim spell by lifting the Champions League trophy

Boss Jupp Heynckes will hope to end his interim spell by lifting the Champions League trophy

Real Madrid

Road to the semi-finals 

Group stage

Real Madrid 3-0 APOEL

Borussia Dortmund 1-3 Real Madrid

Real Madrid 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Real Madrid

APOEL 0-6 Real Madrid

Real Madrid 3-2 Borussia Dortmund 

Last-16

Real Madrid 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain 1-2 Real Madrid (2-5 agg)

Quarter-final 

Juventus 0-3 Real Madrid

Real Madrid 1-3 Juventus (4-3 agg)

Cristiano Ronaldo's stoppage time penalty for Real Madrid dramatically dumped out Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo’s stoppage time penalty for Real Madrid dramatically dumped out Juventus

Outright odds

13/8

Top scorer

Cristiano Ronaldo (15) 

2007-08: Last-16

2008-09: Last-16

2009-10: Last-16

2010-11: Semi-finals

2011-12: Semi-finals

2012-13: Semi-finals

2013-14: Winners

2014-15: Semi-finals

2015-16: Winners

2016-17: Winners 

The defending champions are hoping to win the Champions League for a third year running

The defending champions are hoping to win the Champions League for a third year running

Why this is their year…

Well, it has been Real Madrid’s year for three of the past four editions of the Champions League and they have now reached the semi-finals for an eighth consecutive season.

Even when it all looks like going wrong at the Bernabeu, like throwing away a 3-0 advantage over Juventus, a twist of fate seems to fall in favour of the Spanish side whose unmatched European pedigree seems to always shine through.

Oh, and not to mention having arguably the best player in the world in the form of goal scoring machine Cristiano Ronaldo also helps…

Ronaldo's 15 goals have helped Madrid power into an eighth consecutive European semi-final

Ronaldo’s 15 goals have helped Madrid power into an eighth consecutive European semi-final

Liverpool 

Road to the semi-finals

Play-off

Hoffenheim 1-2 Liverpool

Liverpool 4-2 Hoffenheim (6-3 agg)

Group stage

Liverpool 2-2 Sevilla

Spartak Moscow 1-1 Liverpool

Maribor 0-7 Liverpool

Liverpool 3-0 Maribor 

Sevilla 3-3 Liverpool

Liverpool 7-0 Spartak Moscow

Last-16

Porto 0-5 Liverpool

Liverpool 0-0 Porto (5-0 agg)

Quarter-final

Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City

Manchester City 1-2 Liverpool (1-5 agg) 

Liverpool stunned Premier League leaders Manchester City to win 5-1 on aggregate

Liverpool stunned Premier League leaders Manchester City to win 5-1 on aggregate

Outright odds

17/5 

Top Scorer

Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino (9) 

Champions League form

2007-08: Semi-finals

2008-09: Quarter-finals

2009-10: Group stage

2010-11: DNQ

2011-12: DNQ 

2012-13: DNQ

2013-14: DNQ

2014-15: Group stage

2015-16: DNQ

2016-17: DNQ 

The Reds will now play in their first semi-final since 2008 when they were beaten by Chelsea

The Reds will now play in their first semi-final since 2008 when they were beaten by Chelsea

Why this is their year…

It seems an age ago since you could not even trust Liverpool with a three-goal lead against teams with relatively little Champions League pedigree like Sevilla.

Now they are swatting aside the Premier League’s champions elect in style. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are leaving defences across Europe shaking in the fetal position and it is breeding huge confidence within the rest of the team.

On paper this Liverpool side are arguably better than the European champions of 2005. They are more than capable of going all the way and would fear no one in the process.

With the likes of Mo Salah (right) Liverpool have won of Europe's most dangerous attacks

With the likes of Mo Salah (right) Liverpool have won of Europe’s most dangerous attacks

Roma

Road to the semi-finals 

Group Stage

Roma 0-0 Atletico Madrid

Qarabag 1-2 Roma

Chelsea 3-3 Roma

Roma 3-0 Chelsea

Atletico Madrid 2-0 Roma

Roma 1-0 Qarabag

Last-16

Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Roma

Roma 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (2-2 agg)

*Roma win on away goals

Quarter-final

Barcelona 4-1 Roma

Roma 3-0 Barcelona (4-4 agg)

*Roma win on away goals 

Roma performed one of the greatest European comebacks to eliminate Barcelona

Roma performed one of the greatest European comebacks to eliminate Barcelona

Outright odds

12/1 

Top scorer 

Edin Dzeko (6) 

2007-08: Quarter-finals

2008-09: Last-16

2009-10: DNQ

2010-11: Last-16

2011-12: DNQ 

2012-13: DNQ

2013-14: DNQ

2014-15: Group stage

2015-16: Last-16

2016-17: Play-off round

The Italian side are having their best European campaign for over 10 years, bettering their quarter-final exit at the hands of Manchester United in 2008

The Italian side are having their best European campaign for over 10 years, bettering their quarter-final exit at the hands of Manchester United in 2008

Why this is their year… 

When you can come from 3-0 down against Barcelona to record one of the greatest European comebacks in history, why wouldn’t you fancy your chances? Especially when a defence has proven capable of keeping the likes of LIonel Messi quiet for 90 minutes.

The away form needs work but the Italian side have been unstoppable on home soil, having yet to concede an away goal.

With Edin Dzeko regularly finding the net in attack they will be ready to upset any team that expects the Italian outfit as the easiest route towards the Kiev final.

Edin Dzeko's goals have helped fire Roma towards the semi-finals in the Champions League

Edin Dzeko’s goals have helped fire Roma towards the semi-finals in the Champions League

Where and when is the Champions League semi-final draw?

The draw will take place in Nyon on Friday 13 at midday.

How does it work?

It will be an open draw with the side drawn first from either fixture playing the first leg at home.

When are the semi-finals?

Ties will be played on April 24 & 25 as well as May 1 & 2.



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