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UEFA Champions League - Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool - Match Report
Leo Messi scores his 600th goal for Barcelona to put the Blaugaura firmly in control of their Champions League semi-final with a 3-0 win over Liverpool
Lionel Messi's late brace took him to 600 Barcelona goals and ensured the LaLiga club took charge of their Champions League semi-final tie against Liverpool with a 3-0 first-leg win.
Former Reds striker Luis Suarez, playing against his old club in a competitive game for the first time since he left for Catalonia in 2014, scored his first Champions League goal in over a year to give Barca a half-time advantage.
James Milner was twice denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the second half - while Mohamed Salah was thwarted too - before Messi struck twice in seven minutes to bring up his milestone.
The first goal, a tap-in after Suarez had hit the crossbar, was followed by a brilliant 30-yard free-kick before Salah fired against the post with six minutes remaining as he missed a glorious chance to get a crucial away goal.
Goals/Highlights
GOAL! Leo Messi plants a free-kick into the top corner from 35 yards out! WHAT A STRIKE! 600 Goals for Barcalona!
Goal! Messi makes it 2-0! That's 599 career goals for Barca! Suarez smashes a shot against the bar and the little wizard is on hand to tap in the rebound!
Chance! James Milner could have levelled the contest! What a perfect dummy from Winaljdum, but the shot from Milner is straight at ter Stagen!
Chance! Mohamed Salah's drilled shot is saved by ter Stagen! Liverpool is ramping up the pressure here!
Second-Half - Chance! James Milner curls a shot goalwards! ter Stagen is equal to it!
Goal! Barcelona open the scoring! Luis Suarez scores against his former side! A perfect cross from Jordi Alba and Suarez pokes it home!
Chance! Former Liverpool man Philippe Coutinho curls a shot towards goal, an easy save for Alisson!
THE CHAMPIONS! What an anthem! We are seconds away from game-time in Barcelona!
Live Updates
Preamble
Warm-ups are well underway! Five minutes away till game time!
Liverpool has had some huge European nights down the years, but it doesn't get any bigger than this! Can the Reds hold their nerve against Leo Messi, Luis Suarez & Phillipe Coutinho?
Now for Liverpool! Four changes from the side that thrashed Huddersfield at the weekend! Joe Gomez comes in at right back, his first start since December. Joel Matip also starts at the back while James Milner and Fabinho slot into midfield. Roberto Firminio makes the bench.
So shall we get the team news in! Seems about right! Barcelona first! Three expected changes from the side that clinched La Liga against Levante on the weekend. Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquets and Leo Messi return to the starting line up. Phillipe Coutinho starts against his former club!
The Barcelona players have arrived! They look very calm!
Now for Liverpool! What is a good result for the Reds heading into the second leg! A clean sheet must be the priority!
So Barca fans? How are you we feeling? Just a reminder Leo Messi is just two goals away from 600 goals for the Catalans!
Just over an hour till game-time and team news is coming in soon! Meanwhile, just how good does the Nou Camp look?! This is going to be rocking come 22:00 Mecca!
Tonight's build-up has been dominated by the sad news that Iker Casillas has suffered a heart attack whilst training with Porto. Understandably everyone in the World of football is hoping that the World Cup-winning goalkeeper can make a full and safe recovery!
Barcelona have been on a roll in the Champions League this season at home. Winning all of their games so far, but that is part of a much longer run in the competition! Liverpool will have to be special tonight to come away with the win!
Plenty of attacking talent on show tonight, but Roberto Firmino could be absent for Liverpool, Matt Critchley has more.
The Nou Camp is looking resplendent! The atmosphere is going to be something else tonight!
Over in the beIN SPORTS studio, former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is our special guest for our Arabic coverage. Want to hear more from the insights from Le Professeur last night? Check out the Live Blog of his musings here!
Liverpool is battling it out in a Premier League title race against Man City which will go to the wire, but for tonight the focus will be on the Champions League! Can the Reds come away with a favourable result heading into the second leg at Anfield? We are kicking off at 22:00 Mecca tonight!
So here we go! It's a huge evening tonight in the Champions League! Plenty of big battles on the pitch! Will Virgil van Dijk be marking Leo Messi?! Our man on the scene Matt Critchley has more!
Good evening! Welcome to the Live Updates of Barcelona Vs Liverpool in the Champions League. What a game we have in prospect! The La Liga champions Barcelona face off against Liverpool in a mouthwatering Champions League semi-final. As ever, join me for all the build up, team news, match commentary and yes the goals and highlights from the game!