PREVIEW: Liverpool FC v FC Barcelona
The European dream is closer to becoming reality. Liverpool at Anfield are the last obstacle to overcome to reach the final at the Wanda Metropolitano. This match will be full of challenges, despite the losses of Salah, Firmino and Keita for the Reds. FC Barcelona have won on their last two visits to Anfield: 1-3 in 2001 and 0-1 in 2007, however, Liverpool have not lost a European match at home this season.
The game kicks off at 9.00pm CEST. A list of broadcasters can be found here and these are the timetables for the rest of the world:
The rival
Top scorer: Mo Salah (22)
Coach: Jürgen Klopp
Premier League record (2018/19): P37 W29 D7 L1
Current form
#1 Liverpool W L W W W W
#1 Barça L W W W W W
Interesting stats
Barça have won their last four Champions League games, keeping a clean sheet in their last three. They’re also unbeaten in this season’s competition.
To this point, Liverpool have only lost one game at home in all competitions this season, and that came way back on September 26 against Chelsea in the EFL Cup.
Barça have played at Anfield on four previous occasions, losing one, drawing one and winning two, and in three of the four matches the Blaugrana have scored an away goal, which could prove crucial on this occasion.
The squad
Ernesto Valverde has selected 23 players to make the trip to Liverpool. They are: Ter Stegen, N. Semedo, Piqué, I. Rakitic, Sergio, Coutinho, Arthur, Suárez, Messi, Rafinha (not available), Cillessen, Malcom, Lenglet, Murillo, Jordi Alba, Prince, S. Roberto, Vidal, Umtiti, Vermaelen, Aleñá, Iñaki Peña and M. Wague.
Dembélé, because of injury, and Todibo are not travelling with the team and will stay in Barcelona. It should also be noted that Carles Aleñá will continue wearing the No.26 until the end of the competition.
Coaches’ comments
Ernesto Valverde wasn’t interested in thinking about the first leg and what’s gone before, saying in his press conference that; “We'll play the game without taking the first leg into account, we want to win here, it will be a difficult match, the fans can affect a lot at Anfield. Liverpool are very good and they have lost just one match in the Premier League. The same way we won, they can win."
Already without Roberto Firmino for the match, Liverpool coach, Jürgen Klopp, confirmed that Mohamed Salah would also play no part on Tuesday night. "Salah cannot play tomorrow. He is better in his recovery, but he cannot play tomorrow. Precaution? No, it's a concussion, which means he is not allowed to play. He feels OK, but it is not good enough from a medical point of view."
First leg highlights