Liverpool vs Barcelona - Champions League Semi-final Preview and Odds

Published on: 07/05/2019

Liverpool vs Barcelona - Champions League Semi-final Preview and Odds

May 07, 2019 20:00pm - Anfield Stadium (Liverpool)

Champions League: Semi-final - Second Leg

"It should be a football party.· That is how Jurgen Klopp suggested Liverpool should approach this Champions League semi-final second leg tie in which they need to overcome a three-goal deficit to progress to their second final in a row.

The result of the first leg has certainly forced the hand of the home team who have no choice but to throw everything at this game. And that should make it a fascinating spectacle. If the home side score early on, we could see a situation where Barcelona are either forced to go on the defensive to protect the remnants of their lead of push for that vital away goal that would leave Liverpool needing to score a total of five goals to progress.

It should be a great game to watch for the neutrals but a nervy one for both sets of fans. You would not give many teams a chance of pulling off such a comeback but Klopp`s men never know when they are beaten. And the memory of Roma`s comeback last year is still fresh in the minds of the Blaugrana.

The extraordinary circumstances surrounding this game make the result a tough one to predict. However, there should be goals on the agenda. For Liverpool, the absence of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino means they will have to rely on the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi or even youngster Rhian Brewster to provide attacking support to Sadio Mane.

Barcelona already have the Spanish league title sewn up and have a domestic cup final to look forward to but this is the trophy that the club covets most. They might get rattled by the Liverpool barrage but they have the quality to land a deadly strike at any moment. You have to imagine that a single goal for the Catalan side would all-but kill the game.

Recent form (all competitions)

Liverpool: WLWWW

Barcelona: LWWWW

Betting odds and tips

Both sides have been involved in some epic European battles and know that anything can happen on a night like this. But while the final result will be tough to predict, you have to fancy Barcelona to progress given their three-goal advantage.

As the Reds go gung-ho, goals can be expected and the Total Goals Over/Under 2.5 can be backed at best price of 4/6. Sadio Mane will be the main man up front for the Reds and can be backed as Anytime Goalscorer at 7/4.

You can back Over 2.5 Goals at 4/6 and Mane to Score Anytime at 7/4.

By Neil Morris