Lionel Messi stunner gives Reds mountain to climb in Champions League semi-final

Lionel Messi gave Liverpool a mountain to climb of their Champions League semi-final after his sensational free-kick gave Barcelona a 3-Zero result in take to Anfield subsequent week.

The little magician struck his 600th goal for the Catalans in mesmerising style, curling a stunner into the highest nook from 30 yards out.

It was his second of the sport and the identification of the primary goalscorer, former Reds striker Luis Suarez, will add insult to damage on a disastrous night time for Jurgen Klopp’s males.

Regardless of dominating for giant spells on the Nou Camp and spurning a number of wonderful alternatives to seize a priceless away objective, they discover themselves in want of an Anfield miracle subsequent Tuesday.

With Firmino only fit enough for the bench after a muscle tear Klopp picked utility man Georginio Wijnaldum, a stand-in centre-back last season, in an unfamiliar false nine position.

Ivan Rakitic’s early cross was blocked and Suarez headed the resulting corner into the side-netting but Liverpool posed their own threat with Salah playing like he was made for this grand stage, giving Jordi Alba and centre-back Clement Lenglet plenty of trouble.

Messi had kept a relatively low profile but he is most dangerous in short bursts and when he broke into the penalty area a goal seemed inevitable until Andy Robertson produced a brilliant sliding challenge to dispossess him.

That was a measure of just how good the Scotland captain has been this season but on the other side Joe Gomez, making his first start since breaking his leg in early December, was getting exposed by Coutinho drifting inside to allow Alba a free run.

It provided the breakthrough midway through the first half when Alba’s low cross was diverted in by the sliding Suarez, making good on his pledge to celebrate against his former side after his 25th goal of the season.

Despite the goal Liverpool had done a pretty impressive job and it should have been better had Sadio Mane not ballooned over a raking, low pass from Jordan Henderson – a 24th minute replacement for the injury Naby Keita.

Virgil Van Dijk’s proud record of never having been dribbled past this season looked like being beaten when he slipped with Messi in close proximity but the Dutchman’s recovery pace was such he not only managed to get back but also dispossess the Argentinian just as he threatened to break into the area.

Milner forced the first save out of Marc Andre Ter Stegen early in the second half and then wastefully shot straight at the goalkeeper after Wijnaldum had dummied Salah’s cut-back.

Barca’s change in formation didn’t appear to assist them a lot as Liverpool continued to press for the equaliser.

However then fortune and a few appreciable Messi magic counted in opposition to them.

Suarez’s close-range effort cannoned off the bar and Messi accomplished the best of duties when the ball fell into his path.

There was nothing fortunate about his second, although. Alisson, one of many world’s biggest keeper, may get nowhere close to the Argentine’s wondeeful free-kick from distance.

And the margin would have been better had substitute Ousmane Dembele taken benefit of two late possibilities.