Barcelona star Lionel Messi delivers GOOD news for Liverpool despite Champions League loss
LIONEL MESSI has warned his Barcelona team-mates the job is not done in their Champions League semi-final despite taking a 3-0 lead into next Tuesday’s second leg against Liverpool.
Posted Friday, May 03, 2019 by Express.co.uk
Barcelona star Lionel Messi has warned the tie vs Liverpool isn't over (Image: GETTY)
The La Liga champions left Jurgen Klopp’s side shellshocked and staring down the barrel of another trophy-less campaign in Catalonia on Wednesday night.
As slim as their hopes of reaching the final in Madrid maybe, the Reds will hold hope in the power of Anfield, a ground which was made for famous European nights.
Despite scoring twice against Liverpool, including a sensational free-kick to reach 600 goals for Barcelona, Messi is refusing to admit the result of the tie is a foregone conclusion.
And his comments will come as music to the ears of Klopp's squad, who will be desperate to secure Champions League glory if they fall short in their Premier League title battle with Manchester City.
"It could have been a better result, [but] it’s very good,” Lionel Messi said.
"We go to a difficult ground, with a great history where the fans really push.
"We got drawn into their play a bit and we’re not so used to it: very physical, high pace, rhythm, one counter and then another.
"At times we were a bit asphyxiated. We suffered quite a lot.
"We were better in the first half, in the second they pressed, looking for a goal and we were able to hold on.
Lionel Messi is expecting a different game for Barcelona when they visit Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
Barcelona beat Liverpool 3-0 thanks to the brilliance of Lionel Messi (Image: GETTY)
"The free kick was good; I was going for that and it was lucky that it went in.”
Jordi Alba was also quick to issue the same kind of message, suggesting Ernesto Valverde has drilled his players that there is still work to be done.
"Anyone would have happily taken a 3-0 before the game against a team that is clearly one of the best in Europe,” Alba said.
"We have to go there to win. There’s no euphoria in the dressing room. We’re very clear that it is not done. We suffered in the second half.”
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi curled a stunning free kick past Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson (Image: GETTY)
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi curled a stunning free kick past Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson (Image: GETTY)
Jordi Alba praised his Barcelona team mate Lionel Messi for his stunning performance (Image: GETTY)
The Spaniard also lauded his team-mate for another special performance. “Messi is unique, we will never find a player like him again,” he added.
"I hope we can enjoy him for a long time because when he’s gone, we’ll miss him.
"He’s an example to us all. Seeing him every day in training and matches is wonderful.”
Liverpool will need to find inspirational from Istanbul if they’re to turn things around on Tuesday at Anfield.
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