Barcelona head to the break with 1-0 lead against Liverpool in the first leg Champions League semi-final clash, with Luis Suarez scoring his first goal in this season’s knockout stages of the competition.
Suarez sent the home fans wild on 26 minutes, latching on to Jordi Alba’s low cross into the box. The game has been fairly even, although Barca produced the one moment of quality to unlock to Reds’ defence to hold the advantage.
Neither sides could find a killer touch in a frantic start to the game, with Mo Salah and Lionel Messi both going close.
Barcelona began to find more space as the half progressed – particularly down Liverpool’s right-hand side – and just about deserve their narrow half-time lead.
Sadio Mane wasted Liverpool’s best chance, skewing over the bar on 36 minutes following an excellent through ball from captain Jordan Henderson.
No question that Barcelona wanted that half-time whistle to blow more than the visitors. Despite their 1-0 lead the Spanish champions are living on their nerves, constantly under threat of being pressed into a mistake. They look stunned by Liverpool’s athletic intensity.
Photo Credit: fcbarcelona.com