Liverpool vs Barcelona Odds & Predictions Champions League Semifinal Leg 2
- Barca take imposing 3-0 lead to England
- Messi eager for more spectacular heroics
- Kop fans will create wall of noise at home
Barcelona will be seeking to reach their first Champions League final since 2015 when they take a three-goal lead to Liverpool for the semifinal second leg on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 3:00 pm EST.
Barca’s Champions League odds have now shortened all the way to an average of -230 to win the final.
Liverpool vs Barcelona Leg 2 Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total | Odds to Advance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | -½ -108 | -108 | Ov 3 -118 | +1200 |
| Barcelona | +½ -108 | +255 | Un 3 +102 | -2500 |
| Draw | – | +250 | – | – |
Odds taken May 2, 2019.
Even though the English team were destroyed by the exploits of Lionel Messi in Barca’s first leg 3-0 win at Camp Nou, Liverpool are favored to win the return tie at -108.
The Catalan giants are ranked at +255 to triumph on the night. But they are favorites at -2500 to advance to the final at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid on June 1. The draw is a tempting +250.
Emotional Anfield Atmosphere
It is sure to be a tumultuous evening in the emotional surroundings of Anfield. With its noisy Kop End, it is the EPL’s most intensely atmospheric stadium.
Liverpool’s performance in the opening tie was the best by a visiting team in European competition at Barcelona for some time.
It was the brilliance of Messi in scoring twice – once from a spectacular free-kick – which handed his team a wide advantage even though the visitors did not deserve to lose by such a margin.
Liverpool vs Barcelona UCL Stats
| 6 | Wins | 8 |
| 4 | Losses | 0 |
| 1 | Draws | 3 |
| 18 | Goals | 26 |
| 82% | Passing accuracy | 89% |
| 52% | Possession | 59% |
Jurgen Klopp’s team were unafraid to take on Barca on the front foot. They will certainly not be daunted by the size of the job on their own pitch.
Lionel Messi’s 600th goal for Barcelona against Liverpool came 14 years TO THE DAY after his first goal for the club on 1 May 2005.
More ➡ https://t.co/5neHRFyv8z #Barca #bbcfootball #UCL #LFC pic.twitter.com/tY3xgl8zOd
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 2, 2019
Reds Will be Bold in Attack
They are highly likely to deliver another bold attacking performance in search of the goals they require.
Against that, Barca have conceded only six goals in their 11 UCL fixtures .
Liverpool are involved in a tight battle for the EPL championship with Manchester City.
Barcelona have secured the La Liga title so can focus completely on the UCL – although they also have a Copa del Rey final against Valencia on May 25 as they seek a Treble.
Things are much more intense for Liverpool. They are involved in a tight battle for the EPL championship with Manchester City.
Trip to Newcastle United Before UCL Return
Currently in second place, one point behind City, they have to deal with a domestic trip to Newcastle United on Saturday, before the return match in the UCL.
In the second half in Spain on Wednesday, Liverpool had more possession than the home team at 57.4%. They had more shots on target at four to three. They also made more passes at 284 compared to 217.
They face a monumental task to make up the aggregate score deficit after suffering their first defeat in five visits to the Camp Nou.
During the full 90 minutes, Liverpool had 52.4% possession and played 547 passes to Barcelona’s 510. The Spanish team had five shots on target overall to Liverpool’s four.
All these factors put together explain why they are favored to be successful in the return leg. However, they face a monumental task to make up the aggregate score deficit after suffering their first defeat in five visits to the Camp Nou.
Their coach, Jurgen Klopp, has praised his players by saying it is difficult to envisage them playing any better than they did in the first leg.
Suarez Scored Opener Against Former Club
Still, that wasn’t enough to dim the individual brilliance of Messi and of the former Liverpool striker, Luis Suarez, who scored the opening goal.
No team has overcome a three-goal disadvantage in a semifinal in the Champions League era
Klopp’s side were involved in a high-scoring affair in last year’s semifinal. After beating Roma 5-2 in England, they lost 4-2 in Italy.
If Liverpool finish 2nd with 97 points & exit the Champions League at the semi-final stage, how successful has their season been on a scale of 1-10? pic.twitter.com/UEjVrDQEdb
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) May 2, 2019
But no team has overcome a three-goal disadvantage in a semifinal in the Champions League era (since 1992). It should be thrilling watching the Reds attempt to pull off the task, though.
Barca Hunt Triumph Number Six
Liverpool were beaten by Real Madrid in last year’s final. It is 14 years since their fifth victory in the competition (formerly the European Cup.) They were also defeated in the 2007 final by AC Milan.
The most recent of Barca’s five successes was in 2015.
Messi is now the competition’s leading goalscorer this season with 12 – after his double strike against Liverpool took his full total for Barcelona to 600 goals.
Liverpool are unbeaten in 13 consecutive UCL matches at Anfield. They have lost only once in the previous 12 knockout matches at their home. But Barcelona have lost just once in their last ten UCL away games.
Messi is now the competition’s leading goalscorer this season with 12 – after his double strike against Liverpool took his full total for Barcelona to 600 goals.
"I think we've all seen the heart in the dressing room before and the drive, the team spirit. We will be ready to go at the weekend."
James Milner on last night's result and looking ahead to @NUFC.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 2, 2019
On their two most recent visits to Anfield, Barca have been successful.
They were 3-1 winners in a UCL second group stage game in 2001. They won 1-0 in the round of 16 in 2007 but had lost the first leg 2-1.
Pick: Draw (+250)
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
