How Liverpool can stop Barcelona and Lionel Messi in Champions League semi-final

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Tony Evans1 May 2019

Jurgen Klopp trades in belief. He creates it, spreads it and embodies optimism. Liverpool may need a little luck against Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday in the Nou Camp but they will not be short of confidence.

There is real conviction around Anfield that they are moving in the right direction. Once, the team might have travelled to Catalonia in awe of Lionel Messi and Co. They will not underestimate Barca but Liverpool fancy their chances.

It is partly because of their form. Last season, this stage of the Champions League marked the high point of the campaign. Liverpool ran out of steam after the 5-2 home victory over Roma in the first leg of the last four. Their form dipped alarmingly after that game.

A year on, the side show no sign of faltering. Mohamed Salah has recaptured his goalscoring touch, the gradual blooding of Fabinho and Naby Keita has generated new options in a midfield that looked weary 12 months ago and the defence and goalkeeper are no longer liabilities. Klopp’s men have an abundance of pace, too.

Barcelona, by contrast, have laboured over the past month. They beat Levante 1-0 on Saturday but were wasteful in areas where Liverpool like to pounce. Ernesto Valverde’s team did not have the swagger that domestic double winners should display. Gerard Pique, 32, and Sergio Busquets, 30, look past their best. There is a feeling in Spain that the Catalans are vulnerable if opponents run at them. Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino — if fit — will test the home side’s legs and tactical discipline.

Liverpool cannot take a timid approach. If they sit deep and let Messi, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho get comfortable they will suffer. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are crucial to the way Liverpool play. The full-backs are fine crossers and provide an outlet for the quick passing game on the wings.

Barcelona have their own raiding full-back in Jordi Alba. The 30-year-old will aim to push Alexander-Arnold back into his own half and, in combination with Coutinho, try to exploit the Liverpool youngster’s inexperience.

And then there is Messi. The best way to stop the Argentine is to keep the ball up the other end of the pitch and cut off his supply. Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum can expect to do a lot of running to make sure Messi does not isolate defenders one on one.

There is another factor. Liverpool do not lose in the Nou Camp. They have won two and drawn two of their four visits.

Klopp has been in charge for three-and-a-half years but there remains a freshness about his management. Liverpool have grown into the sort of team that no European club want to draw. Even Barcelona. And the German believes they can gain an advantage to take back to Anfield.

Messi might well test that faith on what will be a frantic night in Catalonia.

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