UEFA Champions League: Liverpool vs Barcelona: Preview, team news and prediction.

After a thrashing 3-0 defeat away from home, Liverpool will be hoping for some miracle to happen and considering Barcelona away form in the Champions League the tie is far from over. Adding more to this, we will see Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho back at Anfield but this time not wearing Red.

 Coming to the tie, Liverpool have a daunting task at hand. Having to failed to score a vital away goals on many occasions in the first leg, Liverpool should make every chance count in the second leg. In there weekend Premier League tie, Liverpool managed to beat Newcastle (courtesy to the 59th minute strike of Divock Origi) and keep their title hopes alive and made sure that the title race heads down to the final game of the season.

Barcelona rested there key players in their La Liga game against Celta Vigo and lost the match by 2 goals to nil. Barcelona would look to repeat there first leg performance where they won 3-0 as Suarez netted the first goal and Messi followed up with a brace. Barcelona would be looking to get an away goal as early as possible to make the task even more difficult for Liverpool. 

The top corner finish from free kick by Messi in the first leg.

Team News:

Liverpool are handed with a huge disadvantage as they will be missing there two most vital players: Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah. Mohamed Salah suffered a head injury in the Premier League game and was stretched off. Keita who was subbed off in the first leg will also be missing the game due to groin injury. Klopp is lucky to have no suspended players.

 Liverpool XI- Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge, Sadio Mane.

Ousmane Dembele will no be featuring in the game for Barcelona as he was substituted after just six minutes against Celta Vigo. Apart from this, Valverde has nothing to worry about. 

FC Barceloa XI- Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Arthur, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho. 

Prediction:

An injury hit Liverpool will not have much to offer. It all banks on how Sadio Mane plays as he is the only regular attacking player available for Liverpool. Barcelona would want to capitalize on this opportunity and make the most out of it. I am going for a 2-1 Barcelona win.

Do share your thoughts in the comment section about this game and also about the most anticipated Champions League Final.