BARCA V LIVERPOOL PREVIEW & ANALYSIS I: THE REAL FINAL OF THE UCL?

     

        Whoever isn't excited for this tie is NOT a football fan...two of the most successful European clubs of all time, the two most attractive playing styles, the mysticism of the Camp Nou and the bright lights of European nights at Anfield, ex-teammates battling against each other...
     Perhaps you'd be more interested in the NBA Playoffs?

     Pfff...right...
      ....you have Lionel Messi playing against one of the few clubs he's never scored against (in only two tries), you've got Jurgen Klopp on one side with his festive grins and aggressive leadership, the athleticism of Liverpool's front three facing off against the guile,

experience and craft of Barcelona's trident in quite the showdown of attacking prowess, with two starters for Barcelona being former Liverpool stars Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez (perhaps even legends of the English club), both players leaving in a controversial (some may say selfish) fashion and with a pair of long drawn out and laborious transfer sagas that sent relations between the two illustrious clubs to an all time low. 
        Need anymore drama to keep you glued?
        Another shared quality is the presence  of the two best defenders in the game (Pique, VVD), the

two best goalkeepers and the three most productive fullbacks in the game today, all taking place in the two greatest arenas in modern sport (Anfield and Camp Nou).
          What more could you want?
        VAR madness?
        Let's hope not. 
         Barcelona and Liverpool face off in what may be the actual final of this year's Champions League, with Jurgen Klopp's men playing in (and narrowly losing)

last year's final, and Barcelona emanating as a hungry, title desperate and calculated squad with a manager hell bent on making opponents guess.











WHO THEY'VE FACED

           Both clubs have faced big European clubs in the tournament, with Barcelona being drawn with Inter Milan, PSV and Tottenham and Liverpool getting the group of death together with PSG, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade. 
          In their group, Barca dispatched semifinalists Tottenham 4-2 at Wembley in what was one of the best matches of the Champions League thus far, with a Messi hat trick and a Jordi Alba hat trick of assists ruthlessly checking Spurs out of the group winner spot, and nearly condemning them to the Europa league.
        Tottenham only drew at Camp Nou thanks to Messi, Suarez, Pique etc being rested, and it still took a last gasp goal, though their performance deserved it.
         In the Round of 16,  Barca was subsequently drawn with the extremely talented young Lyon side and nailed their coffin with a plethora of late quality from Messi, Dembele and Suarez. They went through

(5-1 on aggregate) sweeping them aside after a minor competitive scare in the second half, and following up that tie in the quarterfinals, a tie in which they brutalized Manchester United 4-0 on aggregate, including a 3-0 drubbing of Pogba and co. at Camp Nou.
          Liverpool meanwhile beat PSG at home with a last second Firmino goal,

lost away from home incredulously to Red Star Belgrade 2-0 with a full strength XI, lost away in Paris 2-1 and in Naples 1-0, relinquishing their early  group lead to PSG...not that being drawn against United helped them much....narrowly qualifying to the knockout rounds with a fantastic Alisson save to preserve a 1-0 win over Napoli.

          Jurgen Klopp's squad can be a tale of two teams at times, one at Anfield

and one on the road, with last year's second leg in Rome turning into a goal-fest after a big 1st leg win, something which proves this point mightily (although they have a massively better goalkeeper than before).

          But they may have dispelled that notion with their 3-1 ruthless away win at the Allianz Arena over Bayern Munich, exposing Munich's aging (or out of form, or fitness) players, with Hummels going from hero in the 1st leg to absolute zero in the 2nd. 
         Liverpool ran riot late on in Munich, though it was a closer match for 60 minutes than some would say (Munich tied it 1-1 on the night, though still needed another goal). 
         What does this mean for Barcelona v Liverpool?
          It doesn't mean much. 

MIDFIELD BATTLEGROUND: 
ATHLETICISM VS TECHNICAL ABILITY???

          Like they did against Bayern, there's some weaknesses Liverpool can expose when Barcelona aren't in possession, such as their lack of pace in midfield when forced to track midfield runners (such as Wijnaldum, Milner, the growing end product of Naby Keita, and even Jordan Henderson has found himself with a handful of crucial goals and some brilliant assists for both Liverpool's Champions League and Premier League title chases / races).
            We know Busquets

is attempting and completing the most tackles of his entire career over 2018 and now, still flying into challenges 35+ matches deep. 
          And though the arrival and astute signing of Arturo Vidal has helped carry some of that workload, the plan would've been executed far better if Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde had started Vidal in a few more matches, while resting Busquets. 
         Either way, Ernesto Valverde

must continue to rotate to keep his players at their optimum against Liverpool's younger and athletically superior midfield, though his opting to keep them fresh in recent matches, while still granting the necessary rest and recovery, has its merits in sports science, why not just rest them completely? These are professionals of the highest quality...they'll be doing everything to beat Liverpool, that is unless their own bodies get in the way. 
         The predictable midfield trio of Rakitic, Busquets and Arthur will most likely be utilized against Klopp's midfield stable of Henderson, Milner, Keita, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, the just returning (but always dangerous) Oxlade-Chamberlain, and the overlooked Xherdan Shaqiri also able to drop deep.
         The midfield talents Jurgen Klopp has collected are vast:

his midfield corps are full of box to box youngsters, versatile creators and experienced stalwarts that will definitely test the veteran duo of Busquets and Rakitic, with Klopp most likely targeting Arthur as the "UCL semifinals newb" they'll press most.  
          Other midfield options for Barcelona are promising as well, with Carles Alena's finesse and unorthodox runs in behind manifesting a new facet to their midfield game that Valverde could deploy as the match deepens,

or Arturo Vidal

can come on to eradicate Liverpool's attacking possession, his tenacity and energy immediately alleviating the toll on Sergio Busquets to win the ball and recycle possession against Klopp's men. 
           In fact, Ernesto Valverde may just think this is the right match to feature Vidal in a significant midfield closer role, (and the Chilean has made a case for increased playing time) coming on in the 2nd half as the energy from Sergi wanes against such top opposition and their intense nonstop press.
           But this is about Henderson vs Busquets:

this is about who can press the other midfield into the most mistakes, who's front three can steal possession at the back, and which club has a midfielder that can pitch in with a big goal.
            Whoever wins the midfield should win the tie over two legs, such is the area's utmost importance and the phenomenal attacking opportunities that both clubs profit from when dominating the center of the park, but it's down to which club's front three get more stuck in and win possession in the final third that will edge matters.

TACTICAL FEAST

           Barca have only one option going into Anfield for the 2nd leg: that is to get a big, 2 goal lead and home victory, with a clean sheet at all costs. 
         This can be done, as we've seen Jurgen Klopp's Reds turn up dry in the Champions League due to the energy exuded in their emotional Premier League chase, though a 3-1 loss at Camp Nou still keeps Klopp's squad alive, the question is then do Barca keep this close to the vest as they did in the 1st leg at Old Trafford, eyes on the all important clean sheet and then let it bust open in the 2nd at Anfield, knowing they just needed 1 or 2 away goals to get through? 
         Surely, with this assembled squad, with the omnipotence of Messi, the legend of Suarez and the young gun exploits of Ousmane Dembele, surely Barcelona can outscore Liverpool at Anfield ....right??? 
         Maybe this is a case of Barca playing open and fast in the 1st leg, getting the big goals and the cushion and then playing it more conservative at Anfield?????? 
         Right??? Would that make sense?? 
         HOW THE HELL AND WHAT THE HELL IS GOING TO HAPPEN?????
          MY HEAD IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE FROM THE POSSIBILITIES, THE TACTICAL NOUS, THE SUBTLETIES OF JAMIE CARRAGHER POSSIBLY SPORTING A MAN-BUN AT SOME POINT, THE NAKED SHAME OF ERNESTO VALVERDE IF MESSI GOES DOWN WITH A MUSCULAR INJURY, THE SLOPPY DRIBBLING OF MO SALAH...THE FACT THAT JAMES MILNER APPEARS TO BE THE FOOTBALL EQUIVALENT OF BENJAMIN BUTTON....OHHH THE INSANITY...
          The scenarios set up by the 1st leg taking place at Camp Nou promises an even more entertaining tie for neutrals (and a heart attack-inducing tie for fans of both clubs). 
          The 1st leg will show Barca pushing for a big 1st leg lead and to follow, an all-out war at Anfield in the 2nd to see who gets to the final....both sets of fans should be worried as much as they are excited...and the occasions at the two greatest cathedrals in football must be savored to the fullest while we're cajoled into this madness.
          And with these sets of players, top to bottom, we'll get a thrilling, outrageous pair of encounters that will push both teams to the limit...this is a final...
          With that in mind, Messi is simply going to put on another show, like he always does, but could Liverpool potentially contain him?


THE BATTLE ON THE WINGS: 
DEMBELE VS TAA?? 
MESSI VS ROBERTSON??
MANE VS SEMEDO?? 
ALBA VS SALAH??

           Sure, in an effort to kill Messi's influence, the Reds could crowd and hack him, or press the Barca captain into giving possession away as he's dribbling into a corner. 
         Still, when Ousmane Dembele

is on the pitch alongside Messi and Suarez, the pitch expands, the rules of engagement change and Dembele makes direct run after run into the left channels, always giving Messi a profound scoring option in the box.

           This was almost too easy against Real Madrid and Lyon, but will it be effective against such wonderful fullbacks, aka the Liverpool duo Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold?

           Could TAA shackle Dembele?
           It's an intriguing question that'll be solved by exhilarating play on the field.
         The duel between the two young maestros will be fascinating, even while Dembele just makes his return from injury, he's recently resumed his production of world class moments of pure genius,

and has shown more patience and accuracy in his passing.
         Though, he will be needed to track back and aid Jordi Alba against the duel forces of Mo Salah and TAA rampaging up that right wing, a scenario and task that could prove daunting, yet given Dembele's recent experience being deployed at right wing back in a league shutout 5-0 win over Levante (while Semedo and Roberto were both out)

and the Frenchman wasn't just good, no.. he was phenomenal in his defensive willingness, posting 3 tackles and 7 dribbles from an exposed position shielding Gerard Pique and a three man back line from the right.
           Which is where it all comes down to:
           The wings will be where the goals should come from, since it's usually the location of the most chances from these two clubs and the location of the biggest amount of space to create from.
           Yet in these matches, that aspect will be a little different:
            Thanks to the quality of the midfield and forward players on both sides, look for play to spread wide and then once the press is arriving, passes will be cut into the box and across the penalty spot, with the usual crossing selections from Robertson, TAA and Jordi Alba

 being shut down frequently. 
         There won't be much space on the wings to create unless midfield runners give those fullbacks and wingers a target to aim for and a man for VVD or one of Lovren (or Matip or Gomez) to track, thus giving Lionel Messi just a tiny bit of space to arrow in shots or long balls from.
          And due to the frenetic pace involved in stopping the swift and often violent forward play of both clubs, I promise you all dear readers that whichever squad passes the ball quickest in these matches will win the tie, whether that be Liverpool countering in a feverish storm, or Messi, Suarez, Dembele or former Liverpool man Coutinho and the midfield trio finishing off a fast tempo move with a pass smashed in between defenders into Messi's chest and down to his feet, or a quickly taken long ball from the amazing vision and range of Virgil Van Dijk or Gerard Pique, or even more simply, whichever midfield can cut the other to shreds and make the other chase and hunt rather than own and create.
           Beating the pressure of Jurgen Klopp's barrelhouse crew, or the La Masia schooled three man gang-press and being able to pass through and beyond is what wins this tie.
           Ponderous passing back to the keeper and side to side is the type of "possession" that plays directly into the bloodthirsty heavy metal press of Roberto Firmino, Mane, Henderson, Milner, etc, the list goes on and on and don't think they're not above getting down and dirty, rough and tumble with Barcelona to get back to a Champions League Final.
           On the left wing for Klopp's squad is Senegal's World Cup star Sadio Mane, a player who's forced himself out of Salah's shadow and back to his talisman goalscoring capabilities, his momentous brace downing Bayern in the last round (Mane's first goal was easily the best Champions League goal of the season in a year of breathtaking goals).
          Mane has been dropping goals like Keith Richards drops cigarette butts, and although his assists numbers are low (2) he's contributed to 7 goals through earned penalties, shots being rebounded etc...... simply put: this front three of Firmino, Salah and Mane will force the ball into the net (like Ronaldo forces himself on his dates).
           Mane's pace and production on the left has to be saddled by Nelson Semedo, who unequivocally must be chosen over Sergi Roberto for his recovery pace and defensive qualities (just compare: 1st leg vs United, the early trouble for Barca's defense was in the center, with Semedo at right back, hardly troubled; then within seconds of the second leg, Roberto was already caught up the pitch out of position and Rashford hit the post).
        Nelson Semedo will have his hands full at right back, and since the Portuguese man isn't world class in his attacking pursuits, this will mean the onus will be on Jordi Alba on the left to get forward as often as possible. 
        Semedo should start, given that he immediately would hamper 30% of the Reds threat by stalking Mane's surging runs and forcing him into bad habits: his over-dribbling and propensity to pass the ball to the other team.

Semedo....or Roberto at right back?

            With this bevy of world class forwards on the pitch at one time, everyone from center back to center forward will be needed to defend at all times, with Arthur and Rakitic especially needed in behind, not only to shield Busquets and clear the center pocket for his distribution, but also to track those Liverpool midfield runs when the wingers or fullbacks hesitate. 
           The two seconds of hesitation, while midfield runners run into areas in the box, will decide the tie.
          Who can break the play up and counter attack on the other?
          Which side will be able to find a goal from a random midfield run? 
          Which winger can break through and go beyond the markers?
           The truth is as much as Jordi Alba's 14 assists and 3 goals have been gigantic for Barcelona this season, Liverpool seem to be a lot more beholden to their fullbacks to create their goals (23 assists between TAA and Robertson alone and 16 for the front three combined). Whereas Barca don't have that issue, with Rakitic at 9 assists, Dembele at 9, Messi at 19, Suarez at 10, Coutinho at 7, Roberto at 8 etc...
           Overall creative advantage: Barcelona.
           In keeping with this theme, who will stop Mo Salah? 

Both Salah and Messi love showing off their magical index fingers.

                                  ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF 
                          BARCA V LIVERPOOL 
                    TACTICAL ANALYSIS PART II:
     WE GO OVER THE UMTITI OR LENGLET QUESTION,     KLOPP'S TACTICAL GENIUS VS VALVERDE'S CHAMELEONIC SETUP, ROADMAPS TO VICTORY FOR BARCELONA AND LIVERPOOL AND OUR PREDICTIONS.
                        THANK YOU ALL! 
                PLEASE LEAVE YOUR PREDICTIONS 
         AND LINEUPS FOR THESE MOMENTOUS MATCHES.



all photos are used with thanks and acknowledgment of others work and their copyright used through the magic and wonder of google images!