UEFA Champions League
Liverpool vs Barcelona: Key Talking Points
Liverpool vs Barcelona is arguably the biggest fixture of the season so far. The two sides will go head to head in the Champions League semifinals in a fierce clash. The game is on everyone’s lips. It is filled with exciting prospects which we will take a brief look at here. It has been quite some time since Liverpool and Barcelona faced each other. However, this particular match up has come at a time where both teams are in terrific form.
History Favors Liverpool
Liverpool and Barcelona have only met eight times in their histories. The all time head to head record is one that favors the Merseyside team. Liverpool have won against the Blaugrana thrice, drawn twice and lost twice. The last meeting between the teams was back in 2007. However, in their last 4 competitive games Barcelona have managed to win twice and that too at Anfield: A 1-0 win in 2007 and a 3-1 win in 2001. Although these results are promising for the Catalans, it is worth noting that Liverpool have managed to oust them at the Camp Nou as well.
Breaching Fortresses
These two sides are at their most formidable when playing at home. Barcelona in particular, have not been beaten at home in 31 games. The best run in the competition’s history stretching all the way back to 2013. It is worth noting though, that Liverpool are the only English team to win away at Barcelona in Europe.
Anfield is infamous for being a highly intimidating and intense ground for visiting teams to play at. They are also on a stellar unbeaten run at home with their last loss coming to Real Madrid in 2014.
It is very clear that both teams will have to be at their absolute best to get a favorable result away from home.
Chasing Domestic Glory
While Barcelona have all but secured La Liga crown once more, Liverpool have plenty of work to do in the Premier League. The schedule is grueling for the Reds as they chase their first ever Premier League title in years. Their domestic fate remains out of their hands if Manchester City win all their games but they have to ensure they keep winning as well. As for the Champions League, they will be keen to avenge their loss in the final last season.
Barcelona are eyeing an unprecedented ‘treble of trebles’. They need only 6 points to secure La Liga crown (even fewer if their opponents slip up) yet again. They have booked their place in the Copa Del Rey final as well. While their domestic success allows rest to key players, Liverpool will still mount an immense challenge.
Messi vs Van Dijk
The world has heard of many incredible battles in history. The Battle of Waterloo, The Battle of Gettysburg, the Battle of Plassey and so on. This season, the clash between Liverpool vs Barça can well be named as the Battle of Europe. This ‘battle’ will be embodied mainly by the two colossal forces on each side. Leo Messi and Virgil Van Dijk going up against each other is the most talked about factor of the semi final since it was announced.
Van Dijk has been monstrously good for the Reds since joining them from Southampton in 2018. He has been a near impenetrable wall at the heart of the Liverpool defense and largely responsible for their highly impressive defense this season. Domestically Liverpool have the best defense. They have conceded only 20 goals this season. Van Dijk has also been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year trophy.
Leo Messi has been having a typically astronomical season for Barcelona. The talismanic Argentine has steered Barcelona to where they are this season. He has also saved them from the jaws of defeat more times than they would have liked. He has scored a staggering 45 goals and has notched 22 assists in just 43 games across all competitions.
All in all, the stats and archives do not do justice to how immense this fixture is going to be. You do not want to miss it for the world. The first leg will be played at the Camp Nou on May 1 and the return leg will be at Anfield on the 7th of May. Who will come out on top? We shall soon find out.
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