Liverpool is technically still alive in the Champions League semifinals. Barcelona’s 3-0 whomping in the first leg came at home in Spain, so Liverpool’s task Tuesday to advance: score four times in the second leg, and keep Barcelona off the board. And they’ll have to do it without star striker Mohamed Salah and midfielder Roberto Firmino, both injured. In other words, good luck.
Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp said after the first leg, “I don’t know if we can play much better.” His side led in possession, took more shots, took more corners, and yet only survived the first 70 minutes against a relentless Barcelona squad.