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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Clarke

Why Lionel Messi was 'left' by Barcelona coach after loss to Liverpool in Champions League

Lionel Messi endured a rough night on Tuesday as he was thwarted by a dominant Liverpool side in a remarkable Champions League semi-final second-leg win which helped the Reds progress through to the final.

Messi was dumbfounded by the events and just to add to the Argentinian's misery, he was left at Anfield by the Barcelona team coach, according to reports.

El Chiringuito have reported that Messi was required to undergo a doping test immediately after the heavy defeat for Barcelona at Liverpool.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson reveals the lengths he went to stay on the pitch against Barcelona  

The process took so long for Messi that Barcelona's coach departed for the airport with their star man still at Anfield.

Messi subsequently walked through the media mixed zone a lot later than his team-mates and didn't say anything to the press following the loss.

The 31-year-old still met up with the Barcelona squad before the side departed for Spain as 'special arrangements' were made to make sure he was reunited with his team-mates.

Barcelona began the night 3-0 ahead in the semi-final tie in part down to Messi's outstanding double at the Camp Nou last week.

Barcelona's Luis Suarez begs for 'forgiveness' after Champions League defeat to Liverpool  

But everything began to fall apart when Divock Origi scored in the first half.

The Spanish giants were still in a great position at half-time before Georginio Wijnaldum netted a quickfire brace.

"Better than Istanbul" - national press unanimous in their salute to Liverpool's 'stupendous' Champions League achievement against Barcelona  

Origi then scored the winner in the 79th minute from a clever Trent Alexander-Arnold corner.

Liverpool will now ether meet Ajax or Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final in Madrid on June 1.

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