Barcelona entertained Liverpool at the Nou Camp earlier tonight hoping to get a win in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie. The Reds began the match on the front foot but couldn’t capitalise on the chances created in the Barca half. Ernesto Valverde’s men came back into the game midway through the first half and took the lead in the 26th minute via Luis Suarez’s finish from close range.
The second half was more of the same with the visitors pressing on in search of the equaliser. However, it was Barca who were lethal in the final third as they scored two more goals through Lionel Messi’s brace to secure a controlled 3-0 win on the night.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the match against the Catalans.
GK: Alisson Becker – 5/10
The Brazilian keeper couldn’t do much to prevent any of Barca’s three goals during the contest.
RB: Joe Gomez – 4.5/10
He found it difficult coping with Phillipe Coutinho’s threat in the first half. The English defender was average in the second half as well.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 3/10
The Dutch defender kept things ticking for Liverpool while in possession of the ball. However, he didn’t track Suarez’s run for the home side’s opener.
CB: Joel Matip – 7/10
The Cameroonian centre-back was dominant on the ball and made some crucial interceptions for his team.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 7/10
The Scottish full-back was untouchable at times as he completed some lung-bursting dribbles in the opposition half. However, he could have provided a bit more protection while defending in his own half.
CM: Fabinho – 5/10
The Brazilian midfielder gave away too many needless fouls during the encounter. One of his fouls led to Messi scoring with a magical free-kick in the second half.
CM: James Milner – 5/10
The English veteran got two golden chances to score but his attempts failed to trouble Marc Andre ter Stegen in the Barca goal.
CM: Naby Keita – N/A
The Guinean talent made some good dribbles early on but had to go off with an unfortunate injury in the first half.
RM: Mohamed Salah – 5/10
The Egyptian winger was Klopp’s brightest player on the ball, but he wasted an excellent opportunity to score just after Barca’s third goal when he rattled the crossbar.
CAM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 4/10
The Dutchman worked his socks off, but it was clear that he was playing out of position.
LM: Sadio Mane – 5.5/10
The Senegalese speedster created a lot of problems for the Barca defenders, but like his teammates, he squandered all of the chances that fell in his path.
Substitutes:
CM: Jordan Henderson – 4/10
It was a very mediocre display from the Liverpool captain.
ST: Roberto Firmino – 6/10
The Brazilian went close to scoring with his attempt, but it was cleared off the line.
ST: Divock Origi – N/A
Not enough time to make an impact.
