Highlights: Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool
Barcelona have one foot in the 2018-19 Champions League final after they hammered English Premier League title contenders Liverpool 3-0 at the Camp Nou on Wednesday evening.
Many expected it to be a close semi-final tie between the two European giants and the scoreline was certainly harsh on Jurgen Klopp’s side, who created more chances and several good opportunities themselves.
Sadio Mane fired over the bar from close range, Roberto Firmino had an effort cleared off the line and Mohamed Salah hit the post when Marc-Andre ter Stegen was out of position.
Luis Suarez had opened the scoring against him former club on 26 minutes when he poked home Jordi Alba’s excellent cross. Virgil van Dijk was notably static, allowing the Uruguayan striker to get to the ball unchallenged.
The Dutch international was also static when he allowed Lionel Messi to rebound home Luis Suarez’s effort that had come back off the crossbar. Van Dijk had initially been in a good position to get to the ball first but stood there, allowing the Argentine to bundle home from close range.
Messi killed off the game and perhaps the tie in stunning fashion with a 25-yard free kick into the top corner with eight minutes to play. Alisson was given no chance in the Liverpool goal. However, it was debatable whether the free kick should have been given in the first place as Messi simply ran into Fabinho.
Liverpool’s failure to come back with an away goal all but kills off the tie ahead of the second leg at Anfield on Tuesday.
Watch the highlights from Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool here:
