{"id":294737,"date":"2023-10-02T21:33:43","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T21:33:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=294737"},"modified":"2023-10-02T21:33:43","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T21:33:43","slug":"barcelona-vs-liverpool-three-key-battles-that-could-decide-the-champions-league-semi-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/barcelona-vs-liverpool-three-key-battles-that-could-decide-the-champions-league-semi-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona vs Liverpool: Three key battles that could decide the Champions League semi-final"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/10\/02\/16\/newFile-2.jpg\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/03\/01\/11\/SEI90356391.jpg\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/10\/02\/09\/newFile-6.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h2><span><\/p>\n<p><\/span>Player ratings: Liverpool vs Huddersfield<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/s3fs-public\/thumbnails\/image\/2019\/04\/26\/21\/AFP-1FY9SJ.jpg\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/s3fs-public\/thumbnails\/image\/2019\/04\/26\/21\/1145292549.jpg\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/s3fs-public\/thumbnails\/image\/2019\/04\/26\/21\/1145299516.jpg\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/s3fs-public\/thumbnails\/image\/2019\/04\/26\/21\/1139492023.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Rakitic vs Fabinho<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Liverpool\u2019s midfield was clearly the weakest component of Jurgen Klopp\u2019s team last season, and the club made a concerted effort to strengthen the squad in that area over the summer, with the signings of Fabinho and Naby Keita.<\/p>\n<h3>Recommended<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/s3fs-public\/thumbnails\/image\/2019\/04\/30\/17\/Ivan-Rakitic.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>Liverpool\u2019s midfield has indeed looked noticeably better this season, as the above additions have added quality and depth, but Liverpool\u2019s midfield mettle will truly be tested against Barcelona, who will expect Rakitic to pull the strings at the Nou Camp. Fabinho is likely to re-enter the Liverpool line-up and it will be crucial for the Brazilian to cut off Rakitic\u2019s supply of passes to Messi and Luis Suarez.<\/p>\n<p>If Fabinho can do that, the next step is to provide Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane with possession as quickly as possible. Bypassing Barca\u2019s midfield by looking out wide is a better option for Fabinho than trying to play through the likes of Rakitic and Sergio Busquets.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Semedo vs Mane<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Mane\u2019s greatest attribute is his blistering pace, but Semedo is no slouch. If anyone can keep up with Liverpool\u2019s Senegalese winger, it is Barcelona\u2019s Portuguese right-back.<\/p>\n<p>Semedo will be wary of Mane\u2019s runs but should also be able to match them, and the 25-year-old will be supported defensively by Barca veteran Gerard Pique, who is having one of the best seasons of his career.<\/p>\n<p>With Roberto Firmino\u2019s inclusion in the Liverpool squad still in doubt, due to the Brazilian forward\u2019s ankle injury, it is vital that Mane steps up for Klopp\u2019s team. The 27-year-old has frequently demonstrated his ability to score in the biggest games for Liverpool, but he will need to be absolutely clinical at the Nou Camp.<\/p>\n<p>Should Divock Origi or Daniel Sturridge start in Firmino\u2019s place, they will need to help Mane by occupying Pique and allowing the Senegal international opportunities to cut inside and test Semedo\u2019s defensive nous, rather than just his pace.<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/sport\/football\/european\/barcelona-liverpool-champions-league-semi-final-three-key-battles-lionel-messi-virgil-van-dijk-a8893671.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Player ratings: Liverpool vs Huddersfield Rakitic vs Fabinho Liverpool\u2019s midfield was clearly the weakest component of Jurgen Klopp\u2019s team last <span class=\"more-text\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":294736,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8 - 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