Liverpool’s starting XI the last time they face Roma in 2002

Liverpool will welcome Roma to Anfield for the first time in over 16 years in their Champions League semi-final, representing the first competitive meeting between the clubs since March 2002.

Anfield will host the first of two legs on Tuesday April 24 in what is sure to be another memorable night in front of the Kop, and it may bring back fond memories for some of the older fans.

Last time this fixture was played, Jari Litmanen and Emile Heskey provided the goals in a 2-0 win to send Liverpool into the quarter-finals in their first appearance in the competition since 1985, when it was still the European Cup.

Liverpool and Roma’s starting teams the last time they face each other in March 2002

Unsurprisingly, none of the players involved that night will be available for selection this time around although Francesco Totti, who started upfront for Roma, comes closest following his retirement last season.

For Liverpool, Steven Gerrard was their most recent departure. He was still rising to prominence as a 21-year-old that night while Jamie Carragher (24 in March 2002) was beginning to establish himself as a fine centre-back.

The night was also significant as it represented Gerard Houllier’s return after missing five months through heart surgery. The Frenchman was given a standing ovation before the match after taking his place in the dugout.

Jari Litmanen scored the opening goal for Liverpool from the penalty spot after six minutes

Emile Heskey celebrates his goal against Roma the last time the two teams met in March 2002

A young Steven Gerrard takes on Francesco Totti during a heated European contest at Anfield

Litmanen, who only scored seven goals for Liverpool during two unspectacular seasons, fired them into the lead from the penalty after six minutes before Heskey, the much-maligned workhorse who scored 60 goals for the Reds, sealed the win.

It was a special evening for a team rediscovering their influence in Europe’s elite competition, but it eventually came crashing to an end in the quarter-finals as German side Bayer Lerverkusen knocked them out 4-3 on aggregate.

The Bundesliga side denied Liverpool the chance to face rivals Manchester United in the semi-finals, but they at least denied Sir Alex Ferguson’s men another European final, beating them on away goals (3-3 agg) before eventually losing to Real Madrid. 

Gerard Houllier returned to the touchline following a five-month absence due to heart surgery