By Dominic King and Pete Jenson for MailOnline
Published: 23:14 BST, 1 May 2019 | Updated: 23:14 BST, 1 May 2019
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Liverpool need to summon a miraculous comeback to stay in Europe after Lionel Messi played like a man on mission to win the Champions League.
Messi scored twice – the second being a 30-yard free-kick – as Barcelona built up a 3-0 first leg lead that makes them odds on favourites to reach the final on June 1.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, looked despondent as he faced the media afterwards and accepted the difficulties his side face.
Jurgen Klopp admitted that Liverpool could not have played much better despite the defeat
The German congratulated the Barcelona players after they beat his side 3-0
Klopp was not prepared to submit completely and hopes the power of Anfield will be a huge factor next Tuesday. But there is no question that the final 20 minutes, when Messi scored his goals and Mo Salah hit the post from six yards, could ultimately prove to be decisive.
‘I’m not sure that we deserved a lot,’ said Klopp, who saw Luis Suarez give Barcelona the lead in the 26th minute.
‘They scored three, we didn’t and you have to accept it. As a manager, it is always very important how we played. It is the best we have played in the Champions League.
'This kind of football, we played between the lines, we were in their box and we caused them a lot of problems. If you lose away it can happen. The problem is we didn’t score. My boys gave a lot of respect for how they played and how they developed.
Alisson was well beaten by a spectacular Lionel Messi free-kick that you cannot legislate for
'There was so much fun in that game but in the end we lost it. I have been in this business long enough that we have to accept it. I said that I am proud of
