Liverpool put five goals past Roma last night due to their “long ball” tactics, according to Daniele De Rossi.
The Italian midfielder was left frustrated after the Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side ran riot and looked on course to all but guarantee a place in the final in Kiev.
But two late goals from Roma have kept the tie alive as Liverpool won 5-2 on the night.
Ex-Roma forward Mohamed Salah stole the headlines again, scoring twice and setting up two more.
However, while Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane made it look easy up against Roma’s back three, De Rossi has defended his team-mates.
And the 34-year-old feels Klopp’s team were very route one in the first leg.
“It’s not right to put conceding so many goals on the defence,” De Rossi told Mediaset Premium.
“We all played very aggressively, even though we had the feeling of being able to affect little in midfield because they often bypassed it.
“They constantly went for the long ball, from any area of the pitch.”
Roma must now replicate their impressive quarter-final fightback against Barcelona next Wednesday when Liverpool visit the Stadio Olimpico.
The Serie A outfit know a 3-0 victory will dump Liverpool out, with De Rossi expected to start.