The UEFA Champions League pitting Liverpool and Barcelona is pulling reactions before it even starts, with football pundits predicting the possible results of the match.
It is very emotional in as much as Liverpool needs a 4-0 win to guarantee them qualification to the finals against the winner between Tottenham and Ajax.
Former Manchester United player, Michael Owen admits Liverpool’s prospects look bleak ahead of their Champions League showdown with Barcelona although the players look optimistic and ready to overturn the outcome of the first leg.
Jurgen Klopp’s men must overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit when the La Liga champions visit Anfield for Tuesday night’s second leg.
Owen told Betvictor: “History is against Liverpool overturning their 3-0 deficit from the 1st leg in the Nou Camp.
“The Reds would become just the third side in the history of the European Cup/Champions League to come from three goals down in the 1st leg of a semi-final to qualify for the final and the first since Barcelona themselves in 1986.
“That said Barca held a three-goal lead (4-1) against Roma in last season’s quarter-final before going out on away goals having lost the 2nd leg 3-0 in Italy.
“That must give Jurgen Klopp, his resilient, history-making side and all Reds supporters cause for optimism ahead of what promises to be another wonderful Anfield occasion.
“I naturally hoped Mo Salah would be fit for the visit of Barcelona. The Egyptian has been outstanding in recent weeks and he gave Gerard Pique and co a torrid time in the Nou Camp despite the Reds drawing a rare blank.
“Had Liverpool scored in Spain I would have been optimistic of the Reds turning the tie around.
“As it is I expect to see the Reds win at Anfield, but I fear a Barca goal will change the landscape of the tie and it is likely that the Reds will, at some stage, have to throw caution to the wind.”