Liverpool have it all to do as to overturn a three goal deficit as they welcome Barcelona to Anfield in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesLiverpool will be without Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian suffered concussion during their 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday.
Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana (both muscular) and Naby Keita (adductor) are also absent.
Barcelona will be without Ousmane Dembele after the Frenchman suffered a leg injury during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Celta Vigo.
Rafinha has travelled with the squad but is still unavailable as he continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool have won two of their last three second legs in UEFA semi-finals, with both victories coming at home including a 3-0 win over Villarreal in 2015-16 Europa League.
- Barcelona are winless in their last three semi-final second legs of UEFA competitions, losing their last two away to Bayern Munich.
- Lionel Messi has scored four goals in his last three trips to England with Barcelona.
Prediction
This game was already looking like a tough ask for Liverpool but with Salah and Firmino both absent, I can’t see them turning this tie around.
Jurgen Klopp’s mind therefore is surely now on Sunday’s crucial final league game against Wolves, so I am going for an away win although the Reds will give this a good go for the fans.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Barcelona
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