Barcelona vs Liverpool
Uefa Champions League 2018-19 | Semi-final, first leg
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona
Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Kick-off: 8pm BST
Liverpool and Barcelona are targeting memorable seasons as the European heavyweights meet in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night.
Ernesto Valverde's Blaugrana have won LaLiga with three games to spare, meaning that the Spanish champions can fully focus on a mammoth tie against Liverpool.
As for Jurgen Klopp's Reds, they are chasing down champions Manchester City in a nail-biting Premier League title race, while also having to work out how to stop Lionel Messi.
The Barca legend has made Champions League glory his main aim this season, and it will take something special from Jurgen Klopp's men to set up a final against either Tottenham or Ajax.
Barcelona vs Liverpool team news and predicted line-ups
Roberto Firmino appears to be winning his fight to be fit for the first leg. The Brazil forward, who missed last Friday's Premier League victory over Huddersfield with a small muscle tear, was included in Jurgen Klopp's 23-man squad to travel to Barcelona.
Midfielder Fabinho has been passed fit, while rumours that forward Mohamed Salah had suffered an injury scare proved wide of the mark as the Egyptian played a full part in Tuesday's session.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who returned last week after a year-long lay-off with a knee injury, was also involved. Adam Lallana, who has been sidelined with a muscle problem, did not participate and was not included in the travelling squad.
That group did include 19-year-old forward Rhian Brewster, who is building up his fitness after more than a year on the sidelines with knee and ankle injuries.
Neither side is suffering any suspension issues.
Predicted line-ups
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Lenglet, Pique, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Arthur, Messi, Suarez, Dembele
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Mane, Firmino
Score prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Liverpool
While two of Europe's most feared attacks will go head to head on Wednesday, it could be a cagey affair in Barcelona.
The Spanish giants remain favourites for the tie, but have shown their back line can be exploited this season. If Messi is on form, the hosts will expect to win - but Liverpool are more than capable of setting themselves up for the second leg with an away goal or two.
