Liverpool were defeated by Lionel Messi in their Champions League semi-final first leg against La Liga champions Barcelona.
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has paid tribute to Champions League semi-final opponents Liverpool after his stunning two-goal haul almost killed the tie as a contest on Wednesday night, in quotes reported by Goal.
The La Liga champions were far from their vintage best at the Camp Nou and were once again indebted to their mercurial number ten as they put three goals past Jurgen Klopp’s side without reply.
Luis Suarez scored the opener with a deft first-half finish but it was all about Messi after the interval. The Argentine phenomenon tapped home the second after Suarez had hit the bar before curling an unbelievable free-kick into the top corner from 30 yards – some way to score his 600th club goal.
But Messi was also quick to recognise the role Liverpool played in a game that was far more competitive than the scoreline suggests.
“It was a very, very intense game. They’re used to playing at that rhythm, with a very physical game, with a lot of counter-attacks,” the 31-year-old said.
“We’re very tired now but we have to continue like this, also in the second leg. In the first half, we played well.
“In the second half, they were very good. They had some great chances. We did well to resist. I was very fortunate to find the corner with that goal. It was a beautiful moment. We have to be united.”
Liverpool will be hugely frustrated by their failure to score what could have been a vital away goal and they certainly had their chances.
James Milner fired straight at Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Roberto Firmino had an effort cleared off the line and Mo Salah missed a sitter from just a few yards, hitting the post with the goal at his mercy.
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