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Tuesday 7 May 2019

LIVE: The Comeback Is On! Liverpool Vs Barcelona: UCL Semi-Finals (4- 0) Live

Liverpool 1-0 Barcelona - Champions League semi-final: Live score and updates (1-3 agg)
Liverpool host Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash on Tuesday night faced with the daunting task of overturning a three-goal deficit at Anfield. Lionel Messi's late double, including a brilliant 35-yard free-kick, took the tie away from Liverpool at the Nou Camp after they had dominated for long periods following a first-half opener from their former striker Luis Suarez. Messi and Suarez will be in tandem again at Anfield and, to make matters worse, Liverpool are without two of their front three as Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino miss out through injury. Join Sportsmail's NATHAN SALT to find out if the Reds can pull off Mission Impossible.
Ivan Rakitic OFF, Malcom ON
Final throw of the dice for Barcelona and Valverde amid the melee of those celebrations in front of the Kop. 
No Salah. No Firmino. No problem. 
21:38
GOAL - Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
79min: Football. Bloody hell. 
So clever from Trent Alexander-Arnold as everyone bar Divock Origi switches off and as everyone in yellow tries to get into position the youngster whips in a ball and Origi is unmarked in the area to convert.
Barcelona have been caught napping in the biggest game of their season. 
Lionel Messi and Co are heading OUT as it stands. Ten minutes to change that. 
21:36
What a picture. What a moment.
Say what you want but the Champions League ALWAYS delivers drama. 
This is a great shot capturing the Liverpool celebrations by Sportsmail's ANDY HOOPER at Anfield. 
21:35
Barcelona - Nelson Semedo
Very cynical pull back on Sadio Mane from the Barcelona substitute. Easiest booking of the night for the referee. 
21:34
Arturo Vidal OFF, Arthur Melo ON
Not for the first time I am wrong as it is Arturo Vidal, rather than Ivan Rakitic, that comes off. 
Loads of praise in Spain for Arthur since his move from Brazil given his ability to keep hold of the ball. 
Barcelona desperately need someone like that in this kind of atmosphere. 
21:33
73min: Remember that a goal from Barcelona would mean Liverpool need two more to go through and an away goal would kill any hopes of extra-time and penalties. 
Looks like Arthur Melo is preparing to come on for the visitors and it is anyone's guess who will be sacrificed. 
I'll go with the booked Rakitic. 
21:29
Can he get himself the match ball and send Liverpool to the final?
21:28
69min: That's a lovely move off the training ground which sees Messi play the corner short, pick out a team-mate on the edge of the area before a lofted ball over everyone finds the Argentine in acres of space at the far post. 
His drilled effort is saved at his near post by Alisson and the resulting corner comes to nothing.
He isn't having his best night but Lionel Messi won't need many invitations like that before he scores. 
21:25
Liverpool - Joel Matip
Lionel Messi ducks and weaves, dips and glides through three and then four Liverpool players before Joel Matip knocks him over 35 yards from goal.
Don't want to tempt fate BUT he did net a stunner from about this range, maybe slightly closer, at the Nou Camp last week. 
21:24
Enjoying yourself, Lionel?
21:24
65min: Only unlike Newcastle, this effort comes to nothing. 
Big smile on the face of Jurgen Klopp right now and who can blame him? This would be one of the tournament's greatest ever results given the opposition and the first-leg gap between the sides. 
Still a long way to go but as it stands... extra time and penalties loom.
21:23
63min: Purely one-way traffic now and the away fans are stunned into silence with how this second half has played out. 
Barcelona's defenders look shot of any confidence in an atmosphere their manager said would not 'faze them' given their experiences at the San Siro and Old Trafford. 
Liverpool are all over them like a rash and have a real chance to cause further damage with a set-piece wide on the right. Deja vu from Newcastle at the weekend...
21:19
Philippe Coutinho OFF, Nelson Semedo ON
Ernesto Valverde needed to do something to stem the onslaught and he is going defensive now with Philippe Coutinho sacrificed. 
A chorus of boos greet the midfielder as he trudges off and Semedo is tasked with bringing some solidity to a defence that is crumbling like a biscuit in tea right now. 
21:18
Here is that semi-final equalising goal...

63min: Purely one-way traffic now and the away fans are stunned into silence with how this second half has played out. 
Barcelona's defenders look shot of any confidence in an atmosphere their manager said would not 'faze them' given their experiences at the San Siro and Old Trafford. 
Liverpool are all over them like a rash and have a real chance to cause further damage with a set-piece wide on the right. Deja vu from Newcastle at the weekend...

21:19
Philippe Coutinho OFF, Nelson Semedo ON
Ernesto Valverde needed to do something to stem the onslaught and he is going defensive now with Philippe Coutinho sacrificed. 
A chorus of boos greet the midfielder as he trudges off and Semedo is tasked with bringing some solidity to a defence that is crumbling like a biscuit in tea right now. 

21:18
Here is that semi-final equalising goal...

21:16
GOAL - Liverpool 3-0 Barcelona
56min: WHAT IS HAPPENING AT ANFIELD?! Wijnaldum rises highest to produce a thunderous header between Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba and Anfield could probably be heard from the Nou Camp right now. 
Merseyside has erupted after Wijnaldum bags his second in two minutes. 

21:13
GOAL - Liverpool 2-0 Barcelona
54min: Those Barcelona fans are panicking now and who can blame them?!
Wijnaldum comes off the bench to hammer past Ter Stegen. Well, well, well this is history in the making.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez CANNOT believe what is happening.


21:12
Barcelona - Ivan Rakitic
A yellow card - tad harsh in my opinion - sees the Croatian go into the referee's book. 

21:10
51min: Goes without saying that the next goal in this tie is absolutely crucial in determining who makes it to Madrid on June 1. 
Liverpool have started this half as they did the first: full of energy, ambitious on the press and roared on by a fanbase in full voice.
Barcelona desperately need to ride out this wave before their spell in the half arrives. 
It is end to end as Van Dijk almost converts from close range from a corner with a backheel and then Barcelona go straight up the other end, only for Luis Suarez to fluff his lines one-on-one with Alisson. 
Can't take your eyes off this one!


21:07
47min: Telling that Liverpool are attacking the Kop end and the noise levels have ramped up after winning an early corner. 
Xherdan Shaqiri managed to pick out Virgil van Dijk but it comes to nothing. Liverpool have been particularly wasteful on corners so far tonight. 

21:05
BACK UNDERWAY!
Huge 45 minutes here and Liverpool know they have to go for it now, take risks and face any consequences that come with that. 
They need two goals to force us into extra-time tonight.
Bit of alternation news as Andy Robertson is coming off for Liverpool - that injury has clearly flared up - and Georginio Wijnaldum is coming on. 
James Milner likely to switch to fill the void at left back and Wijnaldum slotting into the midfield. 

20:55
Did Suarez get away with one?

20:49
HT: Liverpool 1-0 Barcelona (1-3 AGG)
The atmosphere has lived up to the occasion and a dream start courtesy of Divock Origi, in for the injured Roberto Firmino, set Liverpool on their way.
But that was to be the only goal in 45 minutes as Barcelona improved thereafter, going close to breaching Alisson's goal on a number of occasions with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez guilty of spurning well-worked moves. 
Liverpool still need two goals to force extra-time here. It's a good start but that's all it is... a start. Big 45 minutes to come. 


20:46
Barcelona - Sergio Busquets
With the ball dropping from the sky and there to be won, the experienced Barcelona midfielder surges without hesitation towards Fabinho and he gets nowhere near the ball.
Barcelona midfielder's shoulder connects with Liverpool man's head and referee has no doubts as to the booking. 
Silly foul on the stroke of half-time. 
20:45
FOUR ADDED MINUTES

20:43
43min: Wonderful dinked ball over the Barcelona defence almost finds its way through to Sadio Mane near the six-yard box but Gerard Pique gets a vital touch on the stretch to send the ball into the arms of his goalkeeper. 
Another boost for Liverpool is that Robertson, much like Henderson, appears to have shaken off any injury doubts as they look renewed. 

20:41
40min: Messi is really a joy to watch when he is coasting past players that know they cannot get anywhere near him. 
But all eyes in the stadium are now on Liverpool's Andy Robertson as he goes down and looks in real distress. 
Replays appear to show Luis Suarez had a little kick out at the Scotland international. 
Now chants of 'f**k off Suarez' from the home support. Not mincing their words at Anfield.
Joe Gomez warming up and that is one of the defensive options available to Jurgen Klopp tonight. 


20:37
37min: Ironic jeers from the home support as the referee awards a free-kick to Liverpool following a foul by Arturo Vidal on James Milner.
Many are still seething that Sadio Mane, bursting through on goal, was told to get up after a tangle with Clement Lenglet. 

20:34
34min: He is back on and Wijnaldum has put his tracksuit top back on so that substitution looks to be on hold for now at least. 
Jurgen Klopp will be hoping it is merely a knock rather than a twist on the knee for his captain. He won't want to go off unless he can barely move in a game of this magnitude. 

20:32
Worry over the captain
32min: This looks very concerning for Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
He pulls off a clever spin having collected the ball from Divock Origi and replays show as he slid to keep the ball his knee connected with the boot of Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet.
I don't think he can carry on here. Looks in real discomfort. 


20:28
28min: Barcelona are ice cold in possession and won't be pressured into long-ball tonight it seems. 
Neither side need to rush this, you feel. Liverpool will be satisfied with this opener and Barcelona know they are only one goal away from killing this tie. 
ON. A. KNIFE. EDGE. 

20:25
Boos for Suarez grow louder
25min: Suarez is down again waving for an imaginery yellow card after buckling under challenge from Virgil van Dijk. 
Liverpool fans are booing with some vigour now and he isn't helping himself.
Only moments ago Liverpool thought they had a second goal on the night when Andy Robertson fizzed a strike from wide on the left towards the top corner, only to draw an unorthodox save from Ter Stegen. 
Barcelona surely knew it was going to be like this? They don't look prepared for this onslaught at all.


20:22
22min: Luis Suarez can't help but take the role as the villain tonight. This time he is clattered by James Milner right in front of the referee and his Barca team-mates are asking why Milner has escaped a booking for a late foul.
Less of the crowding the referee, please...

20:20
This one is hotting up now...




20:19
Coutinho lets his old side off the hook
19min: It is ALL Barcelona now and this time it is Coutinho who goes close to finding an equaliser.
How many wake-up calls do Liverpool want? The finish was simple enough, the Brazilian was unable to get the power behind it as he looked for the far corner. 
It was way too simple for Messi, Suarez and Coutinho to orchestrate a three-on-two move. 

20:17
17min: Liverpool living a tad more dangerously now as Barcelona turn decent possession into a serious chance (which looked to be offside but no flag came).
Lionel Messi had a clear sight of the middle of the goal but as he looked to check back onto his left foot Virgil van Dijk got back to poke away. 

20:14
15min: HUGE SAVE! Barcelona launch their first meaningful attack of the game so far as Lionel Messi draws a wonderful - and vital - save from Alisson. 
Arturo Vidal produces a stunning switch to Philippe Coutinho who finds Jordi Alba on the overlap, the Spanish full-back has the composure to hold off an early cross before finding an unmarked Messi on the edge. 
Inches away from beating Alisson. 

20:13
Dream start for Jurgen Klopp and his players



20:11
Liverpool - Fabinho
The Liverpool midfielder produces a crunching challenge on Luis Suarez that has been well received by the home fans - not so much the referee.
Fabinho needs to find some composure because he looks like a man with his emotions on the edge tonight.
Last thing Liverpool need is to go down to 10 men...

20:11
11min: Liverpool supporters are screaming for a penalty as Sadio Mane bursts past Sergi Roberto before hitting the deck.
It brushed past him with so much ease it is scary but that's not a penalty for me. Would have been very, very soft. 
Big decision but referee got that right. 

20:07
GOAL - Liverpool 1-0 Barcelona
7min: Well, well, well... you have to say they have deserved that and what a moment for Divock Origi!
Anfield has exploded into life after that one as a mistake from Jordi Alba saw Jordan Henderson surge into the area, get a shot away and the save from Ter Stegen could only fall to an unmarked Origi four yards out. 
They needed an early goal and they have it. Head in hands for some of the Barcelona players but a long way to go yet. 

20:05
5min: Ernesto Valverde won't have seen anything so far that he wouldn't have expected. 
Liverpool are trying to start on the front foot, firmly on the accelerator but they need to do more in and around the penalty area to trouble this slick and sophisticated Barcelona team.
Huge cheers every time Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez get a touch or pass wrong but one goal from the visitors will turn Anfield silent. 
Patience is the key for Valverde and Co. 


20:02
2min: A huge cheer from the home crowd after Fabinho and Andy Robertson combine to halt a surging counter-attack from Lionel Messi.
The Reds then launch their own counter-attack as they expose Barcelona down the left and Xherdan Shaqiri's scuffed shot inside the area was almost met by Jordan Henderson at the back post. 
Agonisingly close to an early opener!

20:00
MATCH UNDERWAY!
Barcelona get us underway!

19:57
Players have emerged to a huge roar from the supporters and as Lionel Messi leads Barcelona out, it is all smiles from the Catalans squad suggesting their are relishing the occasion. 
Almost there now... what a huge night of European Cup action. It is history or heartache for the Reds tonight as the observe the Champions League anthem. 

19:54
A huge night that is set up for someone to be the hero
Just a matter of minutes away from getting underway at Anfield and you sense that the magnitude of the game is not lost on anyone tonight. 
You'll Never Walk Alone is ringing around the ground now as the Liverpool supporters are in fine voice. Goosebumps stuff once again as the Kop unite together. 
For Barcelona the job is simple: get an early goal and kill the atmosphere and the tie in one fell swoop. 
Plenty of superstars but who will step up to take centre stage?


19:47
A pre-match take from Liverpool's camp...
Jurgen Klopp to BT Sport: We start with 11 players and that is good. That's how it is. We have tried everything to tune them as good as possible and get them playing the best football they can play. We are here, we have qualified and we really want to give it a try. 
(Shaqiri) That's how it is with offensive players. He will be in the half spaces but the positions I give to the players mainly when they need to be organised is when Barcelona have the ball. We have to be fluid in our movement. Good crosses, good set-pieces and good finishes so I am happy for the boys to get an opportunity.

19:45
15 MINUTES UNTIL KICK-OFF

19:40
There is a carnival atmosphere in the away end as the Barcelona players are out to undertake their warm-ups. 
Many of those inside Anfield tonight are already looking ahead to that June 1 final in Madrid. 
Is that dangerous or is their spot in the final signed, sealed and delivered? 



19:34
Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin' playing over the Anfield speakers right now and that right there is why the person in charge of the playlist needs a raise. 
All the song choices geared up to represent belief and fightbacks... 

19:30
Anticipation building
Now 30 minutes to kick-off and fans are swiftly assuming their seats inside Anfield.
It has all the hallmarks of a classic occasion this evening and those are starting to rack up under the lights at Anfield.
Borrusia Dortmund and Olympiacos soon learned that...




19:25
Lionel Messi returns to Anfield for the first time since 2007
LUKE AUGUSTUS: Liverpool know they face a huge task in turning around their Champions League deficit on Tuesday night and who they have to stop if they are to have any hope of reaching the final next month.
The Reds trail 3-0 to Barcelona after a first leg that saw Lionel Messi stamp his class with a brace - despite a bright team display from the Premier League outfit.
Tuesday's return leg at Anfield will just be Messi's second-ever competitive match at Liverpool's iconic ground.

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