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Liverpool told HILARIOUS way to stop Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi
LIVERPOOL have been told a brilliant tactic to prevent Lionel Messi from leading Barcelona to victory.
Liverpool: Pundit suggests how to stop Messi ahead of clash
Liverpool and Barcelona go head to head on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final (8pm).
Messi is unsurprisingly expected to start up top for Barca in the much-awaited Nou Camp clash.
The Argentina forward is yet to score against Liverpool in his previous two appearances against them but has netted against all other English opponents he has faced.
The ESPN FC pundits were discussing how Liverpool can stop Messi ahead of the first leg.
Yes, that’s what I would do, number one, put him in an Argentina shirt
And former Major League Soccer star Alejandro Moreno came up with an ingenious, if not tongue-in-cheek, way of doing just that on Wednesday.
“What I would do is look at when has Messi been less affective? Argentina,” Moreno said.
“Yes, that’s what I would do, number one, put him in an Argentina shirt.
“[Gonzalo] Higuain up top next to him.”
Messi has been criticised in the past for failing to convert his club form when he plays for his country.
Moreno says that is largely down to the lower quality of player in the Argentina side compared to Barcelona, failing to provide Messi with as many chances.
But he reckons there are aspects Liverpool can look at which can help them on Wednesday.
“But seriously, with Argentina, the struggles for them and Messi has been denying the service to Messi,” Moreno continued.
“That forces Lionel Messi to go and get the ball into deeper areas in the midfield.
“Well, if he gets the ball over there, he’s not going to hurt you nearly as if he gets the ball in the final third.
“I’m denying the service to Messi, I am crowding the midfield and the passing lanes, hoping that Barcelona has a bad day through the midfield.
“The problem with that is that if indeed they have a good passing day out of the midfield and now those gaps that you’re trying to close you’re late to them and Messi has found space in-between the lines, you’re out of luck.”