Ernesto Valverde has vowed that Barcelona won't be complacent in their Champions League semi-final second leg with Liverpool as he insisted: “We've learned our lesson.”
The La Liga champions have a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg and will be facing a team depleted by the absence of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino .
Valverde says the memories of last season's painful quarter-final exit at the hands of Roma will ensure his players don't ease off. Barca won the first leg 4-1 but crashed out on away goals after losing the second leg 3-0.
“Experiences are great because you learn from them,” he said.
“It's true that last year we got a bad result in Rome. The advantage of football is that it gives you another opportunity.
“We know what's on the table. We know how important it is. We are mentally prepared for that.
“We only have to think about what happens here. If we start to think about the result in the first leg it would be an error. We have to play as if we've played nothing before and have nothing after – like it's a final.
“It will be a difficult game because we know the fans will be really getting behind their side. We have to be aware of that.”
The Spaniard admits the absence of Salah and Firmino plays into Barca's hands but insists Liverpool still have enough firepower at their disposal to command respect.
“Having two important players out is a big miss for them,” he added.
“We know the influence they can have. But they still have fast players who can put you in uncomfortable situations.
“We want to have the feeling we're in control. There's no doubt they will attack us.
“They have lost one game this season in the Premier League and that was away from home. They are an opponent with a fantastic strategy.
“We're facing a rival who could beat us. Seeing the ground, I don't think we'll be relaxing. We'll face up like we've done so often this season.”
