Lionel Messi gave Liverpool a mountain to climb in their Champions League semi-final after his sensational free-kick gave Barcelona a 3-0 lead to take to Anfield next week.
The little magician struck his 600th goal for the Catalans in mesmerising fashion, curling a stunner into the top corner from 30 yards out.
2
Messi scored a mesmerising free-kick
It was his second of the game and the identity of the first goalscorer, former Reds striker Luis Suarez, will add insult to injury on a disastrous night for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Despite dominating for large spells at the Nou Camp and spurning several glorious opportunities to grab a priceless away goal, they find themselves in need of an Anfield miracle next Tuesday.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
With Firmino only fit enough for the bench after a muscle tear Klopp picked utility man Georginio Wijnaldum, a stand-in centre-back last season, in an unfamiliar false nine position.
Ivan Rakitic’s early cross was blocked and Suarez headed the resulting corner into the side-netting but Liverpool posed their own threat with Salah playing like he was made for this grand stage, giving Jordi Alba and centre-back Clement Lenglet plenty of trouble.
Messi had kept a relatively low profile but he is most dangerous in short bursts and when he broke into the penalty area a goal seemed inevitable until Andy Robertson produced a brilliant sliding challenge to dispossess him.
That was a measure of just how good the Scotland captain has been this season but on the other side Joe Gomez, making his first start since breaking his leg in early December, was getting exposed by Coutinho drifting inside to allow Alba a free run.
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea (Thursday, 8pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Cardiff vs Crystal Palace (Saturday 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
It provided the breakthrough midway through the first half when Alba’s low cross was diverted in by the sliding Suarez, making good on his pledge to celebrate against his former side after his 25th goal of the season.
Despite the goal Liverpool had done a pretty impressive job and it should have been better had Sadio Mane not ballooned over a raking, low pass from Jordan Henderson – a 24th minute replacement for the injury Naby Keita.
Virgil Van Dijk’s proud record of never having been dribbled past this season looked like being beaten when he slipped with Messi in close proximity but the Dutchman’s recovery pace was such he not only managed to get back but also dispossess the Argentinian just as he threatened to break into the area.
Milner forced the first save out of Marc Andre Ter Stegen early in the second half and then wastefully shot straight at the goalkeeper after Wijnaldum had dummied Salah’s cut-back.
2
Suarez broke Liverpool hearts
Barca’s change in formation did not seem to help them much as Liverpool continued to press for the equaliser.
But then fortune and some considerable Messi magic counted against them.
Suarez’s close-range effort cannoned off the bar and Messi completed the simplest of tasks when the ball fell into his path.
There was nothing lucky about his second, though. Alisson, one of the world’s greatest keeper, could get nowhere near the Argentine’s wondeeful free-kick from distance.
And the margin would have been greater had substitute Ousmane Dembele taken advantage of two late chances.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - All the latest gossip and rumours from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United as the end of the Premier League season gets ever closer. Man Utd to demand £155m
Transfer Centre - Football Transfers News & Rumours | Sky Sports
Phil Foden's match-winning display for Man City vs Spurs assessed Eighteen-year-old became City's third-youngest Premier League scorer with winner against Spurs
Phil Foden scores first Premier League goal as Man City hang
Manchester United transfer news LIVE Man Utd 'make offer for Rabiot' and Marcus Rashford latest. The latest Man Utd transfer gossip, transfer rumours and breaking news throughout the day as the
NewsNow: Football Transfer Gossip | Football Transfer News
Manchester United appear poised to start the bidding for Crystal Palace's Aaron Wan-Bissaka as they search for a new right back. But does he represent an upgrade on what they already have?
Manchester United set to launch £35million bid for Crystal
Leeds United let Aston Villa score on Marcelo Bielsa's orders after brawl breaks out in wake of Mateusz Klich goal A brawl broke out as soon as Klich fired the ball into the back of the net By
Leeds gift Aston Villa uncontested goal in amazing show of
~ Tottenham vs Ajax: Jan Vertonghen suffers horror injury in sickening collision with Toby Alderweireld ~ Kenya Latest Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool: Spurs have
Champions League: Ajax run Spurs ragged in first-half blitz
Transfer Talk: Man United's Paul Pogba heading toward Juventus return surprise swoop for Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino. to sign more attacking options in case Eden Hazard leaves for Real
NewsNow: Spurs Transfer News news | Breaking News 24/7
"I have at least another year in England and the chances are it will be more than a year," said Giroud. "I do not see myself anywhere other than in Chelsea. "I did not have a lot of playing time in the league, and it's not something that pleased me, but I tried to be effective every time I played. I did not give up, despite my frustration.
NewsNow: Olivier Giroud news | Breaking News 24/7 » Latest News
Everton manager Marco Silva is confident England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has learned his lesson after allegedly being caught up in a disturbance in a bar in Sunderland. The past five months
Marco Silva breaks silence over Jordan Pickford after Everton
Transfer news: Daniel Sturridge is 'still good enough for the Premier League' and would be great signing for Arsenal, talkSPORT told. "I believe Daniel Sturridge is still good enough to
NewsNow: Daniel Sturridge news | Breaking News 24/7
Liverpool star Virgil Van Dijk has explained his decision to vote for Raheem Sterling as PFA Player of the Season. Sterling, who has scored 25 goals for his club in all competitions, was the main opponent for Netherlands international Van Dijk, and many fans found it strange that Liverpool defender voted for England international.
The Spurs star Raheem Sterling has voted as his PFA Player of
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has questioned the relevance of the Community Shield.. With the League Cup already in the bag and having reached the FA Cup final City, second in the Premier
Foden ready to shine, says Guardiola - Manchester City FC
Every Premier League club's run-in ranked - from hardest to easiest with three games to go Written by: fpnews Posted on: April 22, 2019 The Premier League season is 91 per cent completed but the remaining games still have so much riding on them.
Every Premier League club's run-in revealed - from hardest to
gistjunction.com/2019/04/04/every-premier-league-clubs-run-in-revealed-from-hardest-to-easiest-with-six-games-to-go/
Every Premier League club's run-in revealed - from hardest to easiest with six games to go. admin April 4, 2019. REVEALED.
Every Premier League club's run-in ranked - from hardest to
footballnote.com/every-premier-league-clubs-run-in-ranked-from-hardest-to-easiest-with-three-games-to-go/
Every Premier League club's run-in ranked - from hardest to easiest with three games to go REVEALED Which clubs have got the best chance of [] Home League
Every Premier League team's run-in revealed - from hardest to
The West London outfit Chelsea have emerged winner in this case as they have been able to convince England international youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi to remain at the club despite his wish to leave. It has claimed that Callum Hudson-Odoi has now agreed to remain and would sign a five-year-deal at the Stamford Bridge and that […]
Chelsea offer Callum Hudson-Odoi new five-year contract as
Man City WIN Premier League title as Liverpool finish second. Manchester City have been crowned Premier League champions after their 4-1 win over Brighton secured the title for Pep Guardiola's team
Man City WIN Premier League title as Liverpool finish second
0 comments:
Post a Comment