Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool: 5 Hits and Misses

Barcelona played host to Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals and it was a game to remember for football fans and the Barcelona faithful as they celebrated their 3-0 victory in the game, with Messi scoring a brace, including a sensational free-kick to bring up his 600th career goal in just 683 games.

Liverpool started the game off brightly as they pressed the home side relentlessly and almost forced an error from their defense. But after the first stutter, the Blaugrana grew into the game and ended the first half as the dominant side. After the break though, Liverpool had the upper hand and they looked destined to equalize until a certain Argentinian stepped up to the plate and delivered for everyone watching.

Liverpool may feel hard done by the result given they played better in the first half but they failed to capitalize and finish their chances. With that, let's take a look at the 5 hits and misses from the game.

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#5 Hit: Andrew Robertson

Robertson gave Barca plenty of work to do with his blistering pace down the left flank

Liverpool's Andrew Robertson had a good game as he was very effective for the Reds, both defensively and offensively at the Camp Nou. He was safely the better full-back yesterday for Liverpool as Joe Gomez endured a hard time against the likes of Jordi Alba.

Robertson nullified the attacks of Sergi Roberto and kept him stuck into his own half as he struggled until Semedo came on to take his place. His work rate proved to be a nightmare for Barcelona as they were forced to stay alert from their right side.

However, his effect reduced over the course of the game, as was the case with every Liverpool player last night as they struggled to break the deadlock against a resilient and motivated Barca side led by Messi.

#4 Miss: Phillipe Coutinho

Coutinho failed to impress against his former club

The Brazilian international cut yet another frustrating figure for the Blaugrana as he failed to make a significant impact against his former club. He started off the game brightly as he had a shot saved by Alisson and linked up well with Jordi Alba, Messi and Luis Suarez

The club record signing attempted 2 dribbles with no effect and also won 0 of the 5 duels he involved in and was substituted rightly so for Nelson Semedo, who helped open up the game for Barcelona and help them counter against a defensively compact Liverpool side.

With Ousmane Dembele not flattering to deceive since returning from injury, he still seems to have saved his place for now but it is high time he showed what he is capable of to win the Barcelona fans over by performing at the highest level and succeed at the Camp Nou.

#3 Hit: Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian was a constant threat down the right flank

Mo Salah had a very good game for Liverpool from kick-off as he troubled Barcelona's left side with ease. He kept Clement Lenglet on his toes and also forced him to make last-ditch fouls and earned himself a yellow card for pulling him back.

He completed 7 dribbles and won 11 duels as he was Liverpool's best player on the pitch. But, he could have rounded up his performance with a goal to his name which he missed from close range as he hit the post right after Messi's sensational free-kick.

He also had one key pass to his name but Liverpool didn't finish the chances they created and paid the price for it. If Liverpool have hope for qualifying, then Salah needs to be in top form at Anfield in order to see through this Barcelona side, but that will never be easy as the tie is already in Barca's favor.

#2 Miss: Sadio Mane

Mane failed to convert his chances

Sadio Mane started off well like any other Liverpool player as he troubled Pique into making simple errors and almost made Barca pay for them in the early stages of the game. He made only 19 passes and he was the least effective attacker on the night for Liverpool as he failed to trouble the defense after the initial 10-15 minutes.

Of the 16 duels attempted, he completed only 6 and was nullified by Sergi Roberto. He missed a glorious chance to put Liverpool level after Suarez's goal and he skied the chance as Liverpool failed to make a good effect of their chances created.

Sadio Mane, along with Mo Salah need to step up their games at Anfield if they want to qualify for the final of the Champions League yet again and also try and keep the little genius quiet, which seems like a distant dream at this point.

#1 Hit: Lionel Messi

Another masterclass from the diminutive forward

Lionel Andres Messi, deciding a close game all by himself. After a point of time, it is easy to predict what the Argentinian can produce but he still seems to awe the Barcelona fans and his rivals all at the same time.

Having brought up his 600th club career goal with a banging free-kick, Messi still didn't stop as he still continued to create plenty of chances and it was all down to Barcelona's poor finishing. In the dying seconds of the game when he could've had a hattrick, he selflessly passed it to Ousmane Dembele who fluffed the chance to put the game beyond reach making the scoreline 4-0 to Barcelona.

With the first leg done and dusted, all eyes will be on the Barcelona talisman to see what he can produce at Anfield with the league wrapped up.