Lionel Messi - Famously known as the GOAT by his admirers
FC Barcelona takes on Liverpool in the first leg of their semifinal encounter in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday at the Camp Nou. Ernesto Valverde and Jurgen Klopp will face off as the managers of La Blaugrana and the Reds respectively.
While Barcelona has already sealed their LaLiga title with a win last weekend, Liverpool is still in the hunt for their first Premier League title. At the moment, they are second behind Manchester City (with only a point between them).
We pick out three key battles that you cannot miss when the two sides meet at the Camp Nou tonight.
#1 Lionel Messi vs Andy Robertson
Scotsman Robertson was named in the PFA team of the year recently
The battle between Lionel Messi, perhaps the greatest footballer on earth currently, and Liverpool's Scottish left-back, Andrew Robertson, will be riveting to watch. Messi had a brilliant game against Liverpool's arch-rivals, Manchester United, in the second leg of their quarterfinal clash, and will be hoping to continue his run of form.
Scotsman Robertson was named in the PFA team of the year recently and will be keen on continuing his golden run in the Champions League as well. Jurgen Klopp will trust him to keep Messi in check.
#2 Ivan Rakitic vs Naby Keita
Rakitic pulls the strings for La Blaugrana from the centre of the park
Barcelona's Croatian central midfielder, Ivan Rakitic, will be up against Liverpool's Naby Keita on Wednesday. Rakitic pulls the strings for La Blaugrana in the centre of the park, as does Keita for the Reds. Both of them will be involved in one of the greatest tussles of the match.
Naby Keita has also been amongst the goals lately, having netted one last for Liverpool in his side's 5-0 victory over Huddersfield Town last weekend. Jurgen Klopp has entrusted him with the key to the centre of the park, and he shouldn't disappoint.
Rakitic however, will have plans of his own and can be very tricky to contain.
Last year's finalist, Liverpool, are set to lock horns against the Spanish giants, Barcelona, in the semi-finals of the Champions League this week. The first leg of the tie will be played at the Camp Nou on May 2 and the Merseysiders will later host the LaLiga giants at Anfield for the return leg on May 8.
Barcelona already clinched their eight LaLiga title in 11 years after defeating Levante 1-0 at the Camp Nou last week and will now be looking forward to lifting their first Champions League trophy since 2015.
On the other hand, Liverpool are chasing their first league title since 1990 and are just one point behind the league leaders, Manchester City. The Reds reached the finals of Europe's elite competition last season but failed to lift the trophy after losing 3-1 against Real Madrid.
Ahead of the all-important clash between two of Europe's most successful teams, let's look at the combined XI of the Barcelona and Liverpool players in a 4-4-2 formation.
Goalkeeper
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen: Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is enjoying yet another stellar season with the Blaugrana. The 26-year-old German made 85 saves thus far in the league this season and helped his team keep 16 clean sheets.
Defenders
Virgil van Dijk will be up against Lionel Messi
Trent Alexander-Arnold: The young English defender played an integral role in Liverpool's success this campaign and has been included in the PFA Team of the Season for his impressive performances. The 20-year-old assisted nine goals for his teammates in the league, while also earning applauds for his defensive maturity.
Gerard Pique: The Spanish international started the season poorly but he regained his form as the campaign progressed. The 32-year-old won 39 tackles in the league this season, along with making 34 interceptions and completing 141 clearances. He has also been impressive with his distribution and completed 91.6% of his passes.
Advertisement
Virgil van Dijk: The architect of the Liverpool's stability at the back this season, Virgil van Dijk has been awarded the PFA Player of the Season accolade for exploits this campaign. The Dutch captain completed 2548 passes in the Premier League this season with an impressive passing accuracy of 89.5 %. He also made 183 clearances and won 71 percent of his tackles.
Andrew Robertson: One of the best left-backs in the world at the moment, Andrew Robertson impressed one and all with his performances for Liverpool this campaign. The Scottish international assisted 11 goals for his teammates this season, which is the most among the defenders playing in the English top division.
Along with his attacking contributions, Robertson also impressed with his defensive displays and won 63% of the tackles.
Midfielders/Wingers
Mohamed Salah is the top goalscorer in the Premier League
Ivan Rakitic: Despite speculations regarding his future at the Camp Nou, Rakitic remains to be an important part of the Barcelona's squad and he played a vital role in the Blaugrana's success this season.
The 31-year-old midfielder completed 2161 passes with an impressive passing success rate of 91.8 percent. He also contributed three goals and four assists to the team.
Fabinho: The Brazillian international has established himself as an essential member of the Reds' squad after a slow start at the club. The 25-year-old acts as a destroyer in the Reds' midfield and won 56% of his tackles. He also impressed with his positioning and passing, with 85.2 percent of his passes found his teammates this season.
Mohamed Salah: Mohamed Salah is enjoying another remarkable season with the Reds and is currently leading the race for the Premier League Golden Shoe. The Egyptian also played a crucial role in the Merseysiders' Champions League run and scored four goals in the process.
Sadio Mane: The Senegalese international remained under the limelight of Mohamed Salah last season and his contributions to the team often remained unnoticed. However, he took the center stage for the Reds this season and has been in a great goalscoring form this campaign.
The 27-year-old registered 20 goals and one assist in 34 appearances in the league this campaign, which booked his place in the PFA Team of the Season.
Strikers
Lionel Messi will be looking forward to winning his sixth Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi: The Argentine is scoring goals for fun this season and is currently leading the race for the European Golden Shoe. The 31-year-old has registered 34 goals and 13 assists in the 32 league games thus far this campaign and has played a huge role in defending Blaugrana's LaLiga crown.
Luis Suarez: The Uruguayan international will be playing his first competitive game against Liverpool since leaving them for the Blaugrana in 2014. The 32-year-old striker has scored 21 goals in the league so far this season, which puts him behind Lionel Messi as the LaLiga's top goalscorer.
Messi scored twice, including a breath-taking free-kick, in Barca's 3-0 win over Liverpool in the semi-final first leg at the Camp Nou to make it 600 career goals for the Catalans.
Unusually, Pochettino, whose side lost 1-0 at home to Ajax in their last-four first leg, was more impressed by Messi's remarkable selflessness rather than his footwork and says his efforts are an example to his own players ahead of the rematch in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
"What can I say about Messi more than I have or others have already said? He's one of the Gods of football," said Pochettino. "It's unbelievable the desire and the capacity to fight with the ball at his feet and without the ball at his feet.
"I am so grateful to have the possibility to watch him every time I can. It's a massive example. Today if I have 21, 22, 23, 17, 18, 14-year olds, he must be the example.
Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool | Champions League Highlights
Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool | Champions League Highlights
"Not what happens when he has the ball, but when he doesn't have the ball he has unbelievable character, how he works for the team. We are talking about Lionel Messi, who has won everything, that is a massive example. That is why it is so painful to start the game like we started the semi-final against Ajax."
Spurs can book their place in the Premier League top four with a win at Bournemouth on Saturday, before facing Ajax in one of the biggest games in the club's history.
"If we play like him [at Ajax] for sure we are going to have a chance [of winning]," Pochettino said.
"But not like him doing what he does with the ball, but like him without the ball. If we play like him without the ball, show the desire that he had yesterday, for sure we are going to have the chances to qualify for the final.
"If not, no chance.
In Pictures | Barcelona vs Liverpool, Champions League | 01/05/2019
"If we play like we played the first 20 minutes it's difficult to have a chance because Ajax wasn't better than us. In the moment they showed more desire than us, they were better.
"That is the key point; that is so important. To play at Bournemouth on Saturday we need to show the same desire, if not, impossible to win. Wednesday will be the same. That is a key point and it is so painful, in the other semi-final when you see Messi's desire and motivation and say, 'Why weren't we motivated in the same way'."
