LONDON • Liverpool face an uphill task to qualify for their second straight Champions League final but, even at 3-0 down, manager Jurgen Klopp believes the tie is not lost yet as "we have another game and our people will be there".
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi orchestrated the Reds' heaviest defeat of the season with two goals, his second a stunning free kick into the top corner to bring up a staggering 600 goals for the club, 14 years to the day since his debut goal.
While Klopp conceded that "in these moments, he is unstoppable", the manager took heart from his team's Nou Camp display - declaring he "did not know if we can play it much better" and claimed he "was happy in how we defended the whole Barcelona team".
He said: "I am a big admirer of them, as is everybody, but my boys didn't show too much respect. We played football and I liked that.
"Football is like this. It is about scoring goals and they scored three and we scored none. The boys played a super game, to be honest but, against a side like Barcelona, a few moments are enough to give them the opportunity.
"It was the best Champions League game we played, not only this year, but last year as well - how we defended, how brave we were in these situations, how we were when we got the ball.
"We were not always brilliant, but we controlled the game in moments and created. Maybe not constantly (creating) chances, but we had moments."
James Milner and Sadio Mane had shots saved while Mohamed Salah struck the post to give Klopp hope, with Roma last season and Deportivo La Coruna in 2004 the only teams to have overcome a three-goal deficit to advance in Europe's top club competition.
MESSI'S NIGHT IN NUMBERS
600Â
Lionel Messi's Barcelona goals after his Liverpool double - 14 years to the day since he scored his first against Albacete in May 2005.
8Â
Messi's direct free-kick goals from 56 attempts for Barcelona in all competitions this season. Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to score from a direct free kick in 24 attempts for Juventus.
The German said: "Because it is football, (so) we should still try."
His players were also on the same page despite suffering a blow yesterday after local daily Liverpool Echo revealed that Naby Keita, who went off early in the first half and would miss the rest of the season after suffering a small tear in a groin muscle.
Virgil van Dijk, the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year, told the club website: "There's a big job to do over at Anfield. We have shown throughout the season we never give up, so we have to just believe."
Fellow defender Andy Robertson also insisted his teammates will continue to "fight for everything".
The Reds' belief that they can conjure up a comeback next Tuesday, which would surely rival the 2005 "Miracle of Istanbul", has also put Ernesto Valverde on notice.
The Barca coach pointed to their shock quarter-final exit last term at Roma despite a 4-1 cushion from the first leg and insisted he would be taking nothing for granted.
He said: "The tie is still open and we haven't got through yet.
"They were better than us for some spells and we know what awaits us over there. I see a team that has the ability to make any team suffer."
As it was, it took a wonderful pass from Jordi Alba, turned in adroitly by former Liverpool favourite Luis Suarez just before the half-hour, to undo the visitors who combined disciplined defending, dogged midfield play and intelligent, energetic pressing.
Midfielder Arturo Vidal admitted: "Things will be much harder over at their place than tonight."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN
Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man City. Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man City. They played fantastic football and we made a lot of mistakes. We wanted to
Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man City
Sergio Aguero is still striving for his best form after suffering a broken rib in a car crash at the end of September, according to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. Aguero netted seven times in
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola just as delighted with
sportstoft.com/soccer/manchester-city-boss-pep-guardiola-just-as-delighted-with-defence-as-attack-after-burnley-rout/
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola just as delighted with defence as attack after Burnley rout 10/22/2018 Soccer Pep Guardiola, not a manager prone to boastful pronouncements, was quick to point out that his Manchester City side is currently producing more shots on goal than any team in any of the major European league at present after their
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola just as delighted with
The Leap is a fantastic company which take care of you from the moment you book to your last day. I was very fortunate to be surrounded by some amazing people during my 6 weeks. This includes both the staff, locals and my fellow volunteers.
Taking the Leap Without a Net - The Ascent
Liverpool produce one of the greatest Champions League comebacks by scoring four goals to beat Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate and reach the final.
Liverpool stun Barcelona to reach Champions League final
Man United Shock Result: Man Utd Miss Out On UCL With Draw At Relegated Huddersfield. end of the season as he missed out of the top four and that has forced him
Manchester United captain Ashley Young describes missing out
Neymar's dad drops huge hint his son could leave PSG in the summer. The Brazilian, 27, has been heavily linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid in the last year
LaLiga: Real Madrid 'meet' with Neymar's father
Paris St Germain's Ligue 1 title celebrations were delayed again when they suffered an embarrassing 5-1 defeat by second-placed Lille after being reduced to 10 men on Sunday. The capital side, who
Ten-man PSG humiliated at Lille, made to wait for title
Guardiola dismisses Klopp's claim that Man City have no
Jürgen Klopp and the Calm Rebuke of Kyle Walker's Trolling City there was a certain delight felt by those that wish Jürgen Klopp's side wouldn't win the now that he's in the running.
Klopp's stunning transfer record is reason for calm - Rousing
Liverpool laying groundwork for sustained success, says Klopp Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool 's Premier League rivals that the leaders are laying the foundations for long-term success. Klopp's side sit four points clear at the top as they chase Liverpool 's first English title since 1990.
Liverpool laying groundwork for sustained success, says Klopp
According to the reports, Ranieri, has signed a multi-year contract with the club. Fulham, spending an astounding £100m on new players this summer, are still placed bottom after conceding a league-high 31 goals, having only managed five points from their 12 games this season. A probable reason why Jokanovic was fired without a second thought.
Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd sent Sanchez claims, Liverpool
(Reuters) - France midfielder Paul Pogba believes England's Raheem Sterling is sometimes treated differently by the British media because he is black and does not get the recognition he deserves for his achievements. Speaking ahead of France's Euro 2020 qualifier against Moldova on Friday, the
Man City's Sterling treated differently by British media
Palace rout Leicester to step up pressure on Puel. Feb 23 - - Crystal Palace piled further pressure on Leicester City manager Claude Puel on Saturday with a comprehensive 4-1 Premier League win over his team, who have now gone seven games without a victory.
Palace rout Leicester to step up pressure on Puel - Reuters
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich - Paulaner am Nockherberg, Munich, Germany - May 18, 2019 Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Franck Ribery during the club's party a
Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Sane
Home Sport News Salah Lauds 'Unbelievable' Liverpool After Champions League Glory
Football: Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen