Liverpool travel to Barcelona in bid to make second Champions League final in a row

Jurgen Klopp takes his Liverpool side to Barcelona, knowing the result here could play a massive part in their chances of making a second successive Champions League final.

Last season, the Merseyside club fell to a Real Madrid and a wonderful performance by Gareth Bale in the final, with a little help from now departed goalkeeper Loris Karius. But the summer of recruitment has enhanced the Liverpool squad to such an extent, they will feel confident they can lift the trophy this season.

Whilst Liverpool are still battling with Man City for their domestic league trophy, Barcelona have already wrapped theirs up. A win over Levante at the weekend ensure they won their 26th La Liga trophy, with Lionel Messi scoring the winner. Ernesto Valverde now has the opportunity to rest players in the league to ensure he has a fresh squad for the second leg of this tie at Anfield.

In the previous round, the Catalan club overcame Manchester United in what proved to be a comfortable fashion. Valverde showed his tactical adaptability as they produced a rigid, efficient performance at Old Trafford to take a 1-0 lead before unleashing a more expressive approach at home. Where Messi again was at the fore, scoring twice in a 3-0 win over Ole Gunnar Solksjaers men.

Liverpool meanwhile, took on FC Porto, a club they brushed aside with relative ease last season. This time was not as comfortable for Klopp but there was very little doubt of progression. A 2-0 win at home was followed by a comprehensive 4-1 victory in Portugal. With all three of Liverpool’s front line getting in on the goals over the two legs.

Rafinha is the only absentee from Barcelona’s squad, the Brazilian suffering with a knee injury. Klopp will be without Adam Lallana whose injury woes continue with a muscular problem, but Roberto Firmino has recovered from a knock and should be available for a starting berth.

On the tie, Valverde expressed his sides desire to win this first leg at home;

“Our intention is to win, but we know the value of stopping them from scoring too. We have to play two good matches. They latch onto mistakes and can overrun you in 15 minutes – we need to stop them doing that. The first 15 minutes of each half are important, that’s when they try to push you, smother you and throw everything they can at you.”

Jurgen Klopp meanwhile, knows not losing put’s his side in the driving seat;

“A draw would not be the worst result in the world. So many people have come to play Barcelona with a plan and then got a proper knock. We saw the game against Real Sociedad [last weekend], they did well; Levante did well [on Saturday], but Barcelona won. Messi said before the season he wants to bring back this cup and that sounds like a threat to all of us!”