Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has written off Liverpool’s chances of a comeback against Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.
The Reds lost 3-0 to the La Liga champions in midweek, with Luis Suarez opening the scoring before Lionel Messi netted a second-half brace to give Ernesto Valverde’s side a firm lead heading into the reverse fixture against Anfield on Tuesday.
Messi’s second of the night was a stunning free-kick and Mourinho believes that strike killed the game as a tie.
The former United and Chelsea boss also feels that Liverpool do not have a chance of securing a remarkable comeback in the second-leg despite Barcelona’s incredible collapse against Roma in last season’s quarter-finals.
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"When the result was 2-0, I was still thinking it's open. When they missed that late chance for the 3-1, I would say open, but 3-0 is 3-0,” he told Russia Today.
"It's hard to believe and Barcelona have an incredibly negative experience with Roma recently.
"I know that Liverpool at Anfield is really hard, the team is good, but if Barcelona score one goal, they have to concede five.
"I think it's too much and I think the team (Barcelona) is with that appetite. I think Messi is dragging everybody with him for that appetite to make it happen. I think Barcelona has it."
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Liverpool face a massive week ahead as they travel to face Newcastle United in their penultimate Premier League match on Saturday evening, before hosting Barcelona on Tuesday.
They follow that game up with their final game of the Premier League season when they entertain Wolves on May 12.
The Reds know that defeat against Newcastle would hand Manchester City the opportunity to clinch title glory on Monday evening against Leicester City.
However, a win would see the Reds re-establish a two-point lead ahead of the Foxes' visit to the Etihad.
