
Date: Wednesday 1st May
Time: 8:00pm
Stadium: Camp Nou
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Dutch)
1st Leg Aggregates : 0 : 0
Goal Scorer:
Barcelona retained their La Liga title when they beat Levante at the Camp Nou on Saturday, but I feel they will struggle to cope with the pace and power of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah midweek. I expect the Reds to get a draw from another entertaining tie. Barca are unbeaten in 31 home Champions League games but the Reds have never lost at the Camp Nou in four previous visits (W2 D2) and I expect Jurgen Klopp’s side to maintain that sequence on Wednesday. Lionel Messi has scored 24 goals in 32 Champions League games against Premier League opposition, but he has failed to score in his two previous games against Liverpool. Messi showed against Manchester United in the quarter-final 2nd leg that he remains at the very top of his game. How Liverpool cope with the little magician might be the key to the tie.
Team News:
Barcelona
Ernesto Valverde has to pick between Arturo Vidal and Arthur in midfield and Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele in attack. Nélson Semedo may get the nod at right-back ahead of Sergi Roberto due to the pace in Liverpool's front three. This match will have special significance to Coutinho and Luis Suarez, who both signed for Barcelona from Luis Suarez.
Clement Lenglet is firmly ahead of Samuel Umtiti in the pecking order for places at centre-back.
Liverpool
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Joe Gomez have both returned from long-term injuries since Liverpool qualified for the semi-finals. Roberto Firmino missed Friday's 5-0 win over Huddersfield through injury but has reportedly been given the all clear to return to training. A head injury kept Fabinho out against Huddersfield but Jurgen Klopp will hope to have the Brazilian available here. Joel Matip has been Liverpool's most consistent centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk in recent months and should get the nod to start here.
Naby Keita and Georginio Wijnaldum compete for the final spot in Liverpool's midfield three.
Interesting stats
Barcelona have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 3 matches (UEFA Champions League). Barcelona are undefeated in their last 10 matches (UEFA Champions League).
Liverpool have won their last 3 matches (UEFA Champions League). Liverpool have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches (UEFA Champions League).
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