Liverpool's chances of winning the Premier League may now be out of their own hands but they're still in pole position for Champions League glory.
That's the verdict of a leading Spanish football expert who reckons that only a piece of individual brilliance from a player regarded by many as being the greatest ever to walk the Earth can prevent them from overcoming Barcelona.
While Manchester City's 2-0 victory against neighbours United at Old Trafford ensures that the Reds may not end their 29-year title drought even if they win their remaining three Premier League fixtures, the blow from the prospect of not being champions of England could be cushioned by becoming champions of Europe.
Pep Guardiola makes impassioned speech to say Liverpool deserve to win Premier League title
The heavyweight clash between Liverpool and Barca – each of whom have lifted the European Cup five times – is expected to produce the eventual winner of this season's trophy while the bookmakers see Tottenham Hotspur and four times winners Ajax as outsiders.
Although Barcelona progressed to the tie by beating the Reds bitter rivals Manchester United 4-0 on aggregate, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were guilty of spurning several clear-cut chances over their quarter-final tussle.
Liverpool fans react to David De Gea's Manchester United performance against Man City
Guillem Balague believes that Jurgen Klopp's dead-eyed marksmen will not be as wasteful.
He said on his YouTube channel: “Barcelona have shown weaknesses of course.
Jurgen Klopp's fears proved right but Liverpool and Manchester City's title race is far from over
“In the first 10 minutes against Manchester United, if it had been Liverpool, it could have been Salah , Mane , 2-0 to Liverpool and end of the fixture almost - even though this was the second leg, but you know what I’m trying to say.
“If you give the advantage to Liverpool and they take it, and they normally do, it will be Liverpool going through.
“Unless Messi decides otherwise.”
