Lionel Messi thinks Anfield crowd will make return leg with Liverpool difficult

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Lionel Messi doesn’t believe Barcelona are already in the Champions League Final despite last night’s comprehensive 3-0 win over Liverpool.

Arguably the greatest footballer ever was in typically emphatic form at the Nou Camp. He netted twice, including a stunning free-kick to hand the Spaniards a massive advantage.

Liverpool have a proud history of producing sterling comebacks in European football and Messi knows they will need to approach the second leg with caution.

Shortly after full-time last night, Messi was quick to say that his team-mates will remain professional for the second leg.

In comments quoted by the Metro, he said: “We know that it’s not decided. We still have to go to a very difficult stadium, the atmosphere is great, but we are very happy with tonight.”

Barcelona will travel to Merseyside for the second leg of the contest next Tuesday. Boss Jurgen Klopp will know his side face a mammoth task to overturn the deficit.

TBR Verdict

What a sensational player Lionel Messi is. His goals last night were incredible and his free-kick will go down as one of the best ever seen in the Champions League.

He speaks well too. It would be easy for a player of Messi’s quality to come out and admit that this first leg destruction hands them an unassailable lead. He didn’t though and he seems to recognise Liverpool’s bouncebackability in Europe.

Anfield will be rocking next week and Messi citing this is an indication that opposition teams know how formidable Liverpool are at home.

If Liverpool can overturn the deficit next week it will go down as one of their greatest ever achievements. Stopping Messi is a must for Klopp’s team too.