Champions League: 3 Tactics from Ernesto Valverde which won Barcelona the game against Liverpool

#1 Bringing in Nelson Semedo for Phillipe Coutinho in the second half

Barcelona v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Semi Final: First Leg

This was an inspired decision from Valverde in the second half as Liverpool were threatening to score. All of Liverpool's positive play came from the left side where Sadio Mane was making life difficult for Sergi Roberto.

In the second half, when Liverpool were on top, Valverde brought on Semedo and shifted to what looked like a 4-4-2, with Roberto playing as a right midfielder. This not only helped Barcelona get much more control on the proceedings, but it also helped in keeping Mane and Andy Robertson quiet.

There were numerous occasions in the first half when Mane found himself one-on-one with Roberto and the Spaniard was struggling to keep up with the pace of the Senegalese, and Semedo's fresh legs helped in keeping Mane's pace at bay.

Valverde might be thinking to start both of them together in the second leg as Barcelona would look to keep Liverpool quiet at Anfield.