Liverpool vs Barcelona – 07/05/2019 Preview

Liverpool will face Barcelona at Anfield Stadium, in Liverpool, in the Champions League Semi-Finals second leg. Liverpool against Barcelona is the match with big interest, especially after the first game and Barcelona’s strong 3:0 win, since Final of Europe’s Champions League is very near and this match will give us the first Finalist. Review our thoughts on this match here below.

 

Liverpool

This match Liverpool will play at Anfield, what gives them a big advantage against every opponent. However, playing at home ground after 3:0 lost, especially against Barcelona is almost unreal to make a comeback and win a game against these Giants. Before this lose the Reds had 19 unbeated games streak. Jurgen Klopp selected very interesting and surprising line-up whitout Firmino in the attack, but with Mane and Wijnaldum from the side. Apparently, he wanted to catch Barcelona with not usual composition and quick attack. But as a result, this didn’t work.

The first match started with an Injury of the most important players in the middle of the pitch, Naby Keita was replaced by Jordan Henderson. Liverpool had lots of chances, even more than Barcelona to score, however, Salah failed to score even to empty gates. We can definitely call them very unlucky since they played really strong, confident and fast football. Maybe Jurgen understood his tactical failure too late to change something. Moreover, Liverpool had a better possession and more goal attempts, so we can expect very interesting rematch. Unfortunately, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah will miss the game against Barca.

 

Expected Lineup

Head Coach

Jurgen Klopp

Squad

Goalkeepers

Alisson

Defenders

Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold

Midfielders

Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, James Milner

Strikers

Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi, Sadio Mane

 

Barcelona

This season, Barcelona is set up very seriously 3 cups, to La Liga, the Champions League, and Copa Del Rey. Their game and generally the whole team is very worthy of playing and fighting for every centimeter of the field. If Liverpool’s 19 unbeatable games streak look very surprising then Barcelona’s 22 unbeatable games streak look even more amazing. We could certainly expect an open and beautiful game, but not from one side, and this once again proves the diminution of Barcelona this year.

When the team plays Lionel Messi, it is always dangerous and even PFA Players’ Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk said – “I’m grateful that I’m not in Spain and I don’t have to face him every season”. Barcelona scored 3 goals and L. Messi scored double at 75th and 82nd minutes totally smashing Liverpool’s hopes for making comeback. Hosts lost possession to Liverpool, what is really impressive since this happens very rarely. But their moments were sharper, more dangerous and confident than their opponents. Of course, Barcelona’s head coach Valverde will come up with something for the return match already in Liverpool. But everything can happen as these are 2 super grandees who are fighting to get into the Champions League Final.

 

Expected Lineup

Head Coach

Ernesto Valverde

Squad

Goalkeepers

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Defenders

Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba

Midfielders

Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal

Strikers

Philippe Coutinho, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi

 

Article Image Taken from https://ronaldo.com/football-news/top-5-things-learned-from-the-barcelona-vs-liverpool-match/