Today will be a defining moment for Virgil van Dijk and Messi as one seeks to stop the other and the other one trying to break through in a clash that will be defining the greatest European club of the season.
The clash brings two former Liverpool back together with their former boss and players but the friendship will be buried for at least 90minutes.
As it is expected, everyone will be pulling into their side as the two side clash today in a match that is seen by many as a final before finals.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will make the trip to Camp Nou in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final in pursuit of their first European Cup crown since 2005.
Liverpool FC booked their place in the last four thanks to a 6-1 rout of Portuguese side FC Porto in the quarter-finals last month.
FC Barcelona, on the other hand, were 4-0 winners against Manchester United to deny Liverpool FC supporters the chance of a last-four meeting with their bitter domestic rivals.
The Spanish side has already wrapped up the La Liga title after Ernesto Valverde’s side were 1-0 winners against Levante on Saturday evening.
Liverpool FC, meanwhile, is a point behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race following a 5-0 victory over Huddersfield Town last week.
Former Reds striker Owen is backing Liverpool FC to secure a valuable high-scoring draw with FC Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final on Wednesday night.
“Barcelona retained their La Liga title when they beat Levante at the Nou Camp on Saturday, but I feel they will struggle to cope with the pace and power of Sadio Mane and Mo Salah midweek,” Owen told BetVictor.
“I expect the Reds to get a draw from another entertaining tie.
“Barca are unbeaten in 31 home Champions League games but the Reds have never lost at the Nou Camp in four previous visits (W2 D2) and I expect Jurgen Klopp’s side to maintain that sequence on Wednesday.
“Lionel Messi has scored 24 goals in 32 Champions League games against Premier League opposition, but he has failed to score in his two previous games against Liverpool.
“Messi showed against Manchester United in the quarter-final 2nd leg that he remains at the very top of his game. How Liverpool cope with the little magician might be the key to the tie.”
Liverpool FC beat FC Barcelona over two legs in their previous meeting in the Champions League back in 2006-07.
The Reds were 2-1 winners against the Spanish side at Camp Nou thanks to goals from John Arne Riise and Craig Bellamy.