Liverpool enter last-chance saloon tonight, down 3-0 from the first leg and are missing two of their big name forward as Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino have already been ruled out.
It will be one of the greatest comebacks in history if they are to find themselves in the final in Madrid on June 1.
For all the good football Liverpool have played, they could end the season trophy-less and it could be a cruel week for the hosts, as Man City are set to pip them for the Premier League title despite amassing a points total that would have won the league nine times in the last ten seasons.
Barcelona claimed the La Liga title ten days ago and had the luxury of resting players at the weekend, where they were beaten by struggling Celta.
It was their first loss in the league since November and first leg heroes Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi were given the match off as Barca played it safe to avoid injury ahead of tonight’s clash at Anfield.
It will be an intense atmosphere and Liverpool must go for goals from the outset, which could leave them vulnerable on the counter-attack and an away goal would surely put the tie to bed.
GIVEMEBET looks ahead to an intriguing encounter:
- Liverpool will no doubt be ruing the fact they are without Salah and Firmino, who between them have notched eight Champions League goals this season and 42 across all competitions. This leaves Sadio Mane as the only first-choice forward available, who has netted 24 goals himself, and they will need him on-top form if they are to progress. Even with his high scoring strike-partners on the pitch, Mane has averaged 1.5 shots on target in his last 11 home matches and goals are must. Mane over 1.5 shots on target is 11/10.
- Plain and simple Liverpool need goals, and with the crowd behind them the fans will no doubt create an intimidating atmosphere to drive their team on. Anfield is no stranger to dramatic last-minute goals with memories of Olympiakos and Borussia Dortmund. Will Liverpool score in such dramatics circumstances once again or will Barca pick them off late like the masters they are? A goal after the 76th minute is 20/21.
- With such a large first-leg lead you can expect some gamesmanship from Barcelona and look to slow the tempo down and frustrate the hosts by any means possible. If this tactic proves successful and Liverpool cannot get a goal, the frustration will begin to build amongst the players and fans alike. James Milner is not shy to put in a challenge or two and has picked up yellow cards in two of his last three matches. Milner to get booked is 2/1
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