Liverpool hoping for first leg boost against Barcelona

Liverpool visit Barcelona on Wednesday aiming to give themselves the perfect platform to reach the final of the Champions League.

The two clubs boast a rich heritage in the competition, having previously won Europe’s top club tournament 10 times between them.

Barcelona head into the game on the back of winning the La Liga title last Saturday, while Liverpool remain locked in an epic battle with Manchester City for the Premier League crown.

READ: Lawrenson reveals prediction for outcome of Barcelona match

READ: Roberto Firmino fit to face Barcelona

The Spanish side are priced at 10/11 to win the first leg, with Liverpool on offer at 3/1 and the draw available at 53/20.

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde has no major injury worries for the game, with Rafinha the only player currently on the sidelines.

Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho both played just 45 minutes against Levante over the weekend, while Arthur and Ousmane Dembele were substituted early.

Roberto Firmino could miss the first leg due to a muscle tear, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is available after returning against Huddersfield Town following a serious knee injury.

Adam Lallana is also doubtful and a late decision will be made on his possible inclusion in the matchday squad.

Barca have enjoyed a largely untroubled passage to the semi-finals this season. They finished top of Group B in the opening stage, finishing six points ahead of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

They have comfortably disposed of Lyon and Manchester United in the knockout stage and are favourites to lift the trophy this term.

Liverpool were unimpressive in Group C, losing three of their six matches, but they managed to squeeze through to the last 16 alongside Paris Saint-Germain.

However, they have stepped things up significantly in the knockout rounds, comfortably defeating Bayern Munich and Porto to progress to the last four.

The two sides have met eight times previously in official UEFA competitions, with Liverpool winning three and drawing three of those matches.

They last met in the Champions League round of 16 back in 2007, with Liverpool progressing on away goals after battling to a 2-2 aggregate scoreline.

Barca have a formidable home record in the Champions League, racking up a 31-game unbeaten run at the Nou Camp.

However, Liverpool will take heart from the fact Spurs bagged a 1-1 draw in Barcelona back in December.

The Reds have won their last two away from home in the Champions League, having lost five on the spin prior to that.

The second leg takes place at Anfield next Tuesday, with the winners of the tie meeting either Spurs or Ajax in the final in Madrid on June 1.

Barcelona vs Liverpool Betting Tips

Mohamed Salah has bagged four goals in this season’s Champions League. Bet on the forward with BetUK to score any time at 11/5.

Liverpool ran out 2-1 winners on their last visit to the Nou Camp. They are priced at 10/1 to repeat that scoreline on Wednesday.

The two sides have scored 41 goals between them in the competition this term. Over 3.5 goals in Wednesday’s match can be backed at 7/4.

The post Liverpool hoping for first leg boost against Barcelona appeared first on AnfieldHQ.

Source: anfieldhq.com