It’s a mammoth task ahead for Liverpool who have a three-goal deficit to overcome against Spanish superstars Barcelona – although Liverpool can take heart from the fact that they’ve never lost at home in a European Cup semi-final (W8, D2).
2nd leg.
1st leg result: 0-3.
LIVERPOOL VS BARCELONA 2019.
Although chances seem slim of overturning this tie, the ‘Reds’ are at least on a six-game winning run at home (in all competitions), winning four of those ‘to nil’, and scoring four or more goals in three. Furthermore, seven of their last ten Champions League (CL) home victories have involved three or more Liverpool goals.
Barca have triumphed in 38 of the 42 UEFA two-legged ties that they won the first leg at home, and are unbeaten in all five of their CL away games this season (W3, D2). They kept a clean sheet in their last two CL road trips, but did concede in the five prior.
However, despite playing on the road, strong-starting Barca have opened the scoring in four of their five tournament away games this term, and are yet to concede a goal before half-time in any of those five fixtures. The two away games against English clubs during that period (vs Tottenham, and Manchester United), were the only two in which they were leading at half-time.
Players to watch: Sadio Mané has scored 11 goals for Liverpool across their last 14 competitive matches – seven of those strikes came before the half-hour mark.
Lionel Messi’s second goal against Liverpool in the first leg was his 600th career strike for Barcelona. He’s netted an astonishing 27 goals (in all competitions) in 2019 already.
Stat attack: Liverpool were winning at half-time in seven of their last nine CL home games.
Seven of Barcelona’s last ten CL away games have featured under 2.5 goals.
Both teams have scored in just three of the nine previous competitive H2Hs.
Will not play
Firmino R.
(Groin Injury)
Dembele O.
(Thigh Injury)
Keita N.
(Groin Injury)
Rafinha
(Knee Injury)
Lallana A.
(Muscle Injury)
Todibo J.
(Muscle Injury)
Salah M.
(Head Injury)
Match Information
Referee: Cakir C. (Tur),
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool)