"Taking a lead to Rome is going to be the key - something to play for, fight for and hold on to in Rome"
Tuesday 24 April 2018 09:20, UK
British No 1 Kyle Edmund says "taking a lead to Rome is going to be the key" for Liverpool before their Champions League semi-final first leg tie at Anfield on Tuesday.
Premier League champions Manchester City became the latest victims of a famous European night at Anfield as Liverpool raced into a 3-0 quarter-final first leg lead that laid the foundations for their 5-1 aggregate victory.
With the Reds aiming to record a sixth triumph in the competition and reach their first Champions League final since 2007, tennis star and Liverpool supporter Edmund believes the momentum is with Jurgen Klopp's side.
It felt like the crowd were playing against City themselves.
"I've been quite a bit this season," said Edmund, who is due to compete at this week's Estoril Open in Portugal. "I was at the home leg against Man City and it was amazing. The atmosphere was incredible. It was the best football match I've ever been to in terms of the atmosphere. It felt like the crowd were playing against City themselves.
"Obviously it helps when you're 3-0 up after 30 minutes! Hopefully something similar will happen against Roma.
"Liverpool are good at playing at Anfield in the Champions League. Taking a lead to Rome is going to be the key - something to play for, fight for and hold on to in Rome."
Edmund has made an impressive start to the year, having reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open before making the first ATP Tour final of his career in Marrakech earlier this month.
But the 23-year-old, who will be aiming to bounce back from his first-round exit to Andreas Seppi at the Monte Carlo Masters last week, says his hopes the next couple of months will bring greater personal satisfaction.
"One of my aims is to win a tournament, but it's another box ticked in my career to reach a final after losing a few semis and I can learn from it," Edmund added. "So far this year, it's been going well - I had a great result in Australia, and it's nice to get going again after being ill after Australia.
"Making that final in Marrakech has set me up for the busy time ahead - first the clay where I think I can play well, and then the grass at the Fever-Tree Championships at Queen's, and then Wimbledon, which is obviously a big deal for me."
Kyle Edmund will compete against Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in the Fever-Tree Championships at The Queen's Club, 18th-24th June.
Coverage of the ATP Barcelona Open will be shown on Sky Sports Arena throughout this week as Rafael Nadal looks to land an 11th title in Catalonia.
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