Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has admitted that his team couldn’t stop Lionel Messi on Wednesday after he helped Barcelona beat Liverpool, 3-0 in their Champions League first leg encounter.
Luis Suarez poked home the first goal but it was Messi’s late double that ensures Barcelona has all but qualified for the next round except Liverpool can conjure a miracle in the returning leg.
“He’s unstoppable,” said Klopp afterwards. “Obviously we couldn’t defend the free-kick. What a strike. He’s a world-class player but I knew that already. It’s no surprise.”
“I said to the boys I was proud of how we played against a side like this,” Klopp said. “If you lose away it’s not a massive problem as long as you score a goal. That’s our problem tonight – it doesn’t make our life any easier.”
Liverpool will need to stop Messi and Barcelona from scoring in the second leg at Anfield next week, even though they have to negotiate a tricky game away to Newcastle this weekend as they look to be successful on two fronts.
Liverpool are just one point behind Manchester City in the race for the Premier League.