Barcelona will host Liverpool in a mouthwatering Champions League semi-final clash at the Camp Nou. The Catalan giants secured the La Liga title in the last game, and Ernesto Valverde and his players should be in a positive mood when they take on last season’s runners up in the first leg clash.
Barcelona’s record against English opponents is almost impeccable, but Liverpool are the only English club who have managed to defeat them at Camp Nou. Barcelona are regular features in the knock out stages of the Champions League for over a decade now, but Liverpool are on the rise. After last year’s disappointment, they would look to go one step further.
We are expecting a closely fought encounter as both teams can turn on the heat when they want to. The game will also have some significant subplots as two former Liverpool stars; Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho are going to come up against their former team.
Team News
Ernesto Valverde hasn’t got any major injury concerns. Rafinha who injured himself last year in November is closing in on a return, and he is the only one who is expected to miss out.
Barcelona Predicted Lineup Vs Liverpool
Formation (4-3-3)
Defence
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers if not the very best in the world in the past few years. He is set to start in between the sticks once again. Gerard Pique should partner with Clement Lenglet in defence. Samuel Umtiti is back available, but Valverde has often stuck with Lenglet- Pique partnership.
Jordi Alba should start as the left back. He will look to bomb forward at every opportunity, but he needs to be careful with this Liverpool side as they are brilliant in transition when they get back the ball. Nelson Semedo is expected to play as a right back.
Midfield
Sergio Busquets is expected to return to the starting eleven after he didn’t feature against Levante. He should start as the deepest midfielder. Ivan Rakitic should start ahead of Arturo Vidal. Brazilian midfielder Artur Melo has been fantastic this season, and Valverde usually trusts him to start in the big games.
Attack
Ousmane Dembele could be used as an impact substitute later on in the game given his pace. We are expecting Philippe Coutinho to start from the left in this clash. Lionel Messi has been in terrific form this season, and he should start from the right. Keeping him quiet would be one of the major headaches for Liverpool. Seeing him go up against Virgil Van Dijk is what makes Champions League a special competition.
Luis Suarez is expected to lead the line for the Blaugrana, and Barcelona’s front three can have two former Liverpool players in this game.
