Barcelona Vs Liverpool: Jose Mourinho has made a huge admission about Liverpool following their defeat to Barcelona.
Liverpool were heavily beaten at Camp Nou, but they ‘deserved more’ according to the former Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese International says Liverpool were brave in their approach, but things could have been worse if the hosts were clinical in front of the goal.
Luis Suarez opened the score in the first half, but Liverpool fought back well and had plenty of chances. Jurgen Klopp’s side looked bleak in front of the goal and struggled to convert those chances. Lionel Messi had a simple chance to tuck the ball in from two yards, and Barcelona Skipper trebled the advantage with an exceptional free-kick.
“Liverpool was brave in the approach,” Mourinho told RT.
The Reds are the only side to beat Barcelona in possessions and on-target shots department. The lack of cutting edge in the final third is crucial and they failed in that aspect. Lionel Messi’s brace proved to be the cardinal turning point in this tie.
“I don’t think in the past 20 years many teams in the Champions League they beat Barcelona in all possession in the Camp Nou. Of course they [Barcelona] have a good team, they have phenomenal players, but that player [Messi] is absolutely incredible.”
Jurgen Klopp’s side might have had chances to find the back of the net, but Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Roberto had glaring chances at the end to put the tie to bed.
“Liverpool deserves much more than the 3-0 defeat, much more, but in the last two corners of the game, it could be 4-0 or 5-0, because the game was broken and then they couldn’t cope,” said Mourinho.
Jurgen Klopp was asked about the chances of progressing to the finals after facing a 3-0 defeat in the first leg.
“Because it’s football…yes. But let me say it like this, we had a bigger chance before this game. We should still chance. It’s not a night for being really mouthy, saying score an early goal and all that shit.” said Klopp.
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What’s next?
Liverpool will face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday and that game will be followed by the second leg against Barcelona at Anfield four days later. The Reds are second in the Premier League table and carry a three-goal deficit to Anfield on Tuesday in the Champions League.
