John Toshack has backed Barcelona to progress to the Champions League final by beating Liverpool - and offered a rather blunt assessment of Reds boss Jurgen Klopp in the process.
The Anfield great said it would be "silly" to bet against the Spanish giants while they have Lionel Messi in their ranks, a player only surpassed by John Charles, according to the Welshman.
Toshack also questioned manager Klopp, stating that the German has "not yet won what is expected of him" at Anfield.
The former Real Madrid boss was speaking on the eve of the first leg of the semi-final, which takes place at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night.
"It is very difficult to bet against Messi," Toshack told Spanish outlet AS .
"While Messi is playing, you have to be silly to bet against Barcelona. He is capable of beating anyone. Messi is something else. He is one of the best, although the best of all time for me will always be John Charles, but I guess that's personal.
"When I see Messi, the first thing I think is: there is no need to train him. A coach is usually very nervous during a game but with Messi, imagine the confidence he gives you. It's incredible."
Toshack, who managed Barcelona's rivals Real on two separate occasions, lavished praise on boss Ernesto Valverde, but the same cannot be said for Klopp, who he says "has not won much".
The ex-Wales manager said of Valverde: "I think he's been conservative all his life.
"He was never a star but if he is at Barcelona, I imagine he has his merits, and not just a few. He does not make much noise. And as for Klopp, it's the opposite. But beware Klopp has not won much.
"In Dortmund, yes, but in Liverpool they are waiting for it. In England there are many titles at stake each year and he has not yet won what is expected of him."
Liverpool got to the Champions League final last year, only to lose to Real. The Reds are currently going toe to toe with Manchester City for the Premier League title.
