Lionel Messi: Liverpool hero Robbie Fowler reveals Barcelona weakness and how to STOP star
LIVERPOOL legend Robbie Fowler thinks newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk is key if the Reds are going to be able to stop Barcelona’s talisman Lionel Messi in the Champions League semi-finals.
Robbie Fowler fancies Liverpool's chances against Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final (Image: GETTY)
Fowler says he is confident about his former side’s chances when they face Barca in the first leg of their tie at the Nou Camp and believes they can draw on their 3-1 aggregate win over Bayern Munich for inspiration.
“If Liverpool can remain compact and draw their opponents on, there will be space. And they know they are good enough to exploit it - they proved that in Munich. It was no fluke. They had a game-plan which worked there and it can work again," Fowler told the Mirror.
The 44-year-old Fowler, who has just been named head coach of Australian A-League side Brisbane Roar in what will be his first managerial job, says the Reds' defensive rock Van Dijk will have a big role to play across the two legs to prevent Lionel Messi from hurting Liverpool.
“The first thing needed is defensive organisation. You can’t expect a full back to play against Messi on his own and stop him," Fowler added.
“Liverpool have that. Van Dijk has made a massive difference in that area - he doesn’t seem to have any flaws in his game and he raises the level around him.”
Barcelona beat Manchester United 4-0 on aggregate in the previous round but they were tested early on in the second leg by the pace of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial on the counter.
In Liverpool’s attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, Fowler feels Liverpool are better-equipped than United were to exploit that perceived weakness.
“Watching Barca, no doubt the times they’ve been in trouble this season are when sides have used pace to get at them wide and get in behind. The question for Liverpool is whether they gamble a bit on really pushing their full backs on as normal," Fowler said.
Fowler has been named new Brisbane Roar boss (Image: GETTY)
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
That gamble could end up being how the tie is decided as Jurgen Klopp faces a decision over whether to give Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson the same attacking licence which has been so key to their Premier League title challenge.
The two full-backs lead the assists charts for Liverpool in the league, with Robertson contributing 11 and Alexander-Arnold nine, and their overlapping runs have allowed Mane and Salah more space to cut inside and score goals.
However, the risk in letting the two attack so much is that it will give the likes of Messi and former Liverpool forward Luis Suarez more space to operate in. However, Fowler suggests the tie may simply come down to belief.
“I honestly believe Liverpool will go there thinking they can win. That’s where they are so impressive. I’m not saying Barca will worry more about Salah and co than vice-versa, but it’s something to think about," Fowler said.