Liverpool could be left to wonder what might have been after Lionel Messi and Barcelona punished a wasteful display with a Champions League semi-final victory at Camp Nou.
Messi hit the 600-goal mark for Barcelona after scoring twice to lead the Spanish club to a 3-0 first-leg win on Wednesday night - a scoreline which flattered the hosts.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring against his former club in the 26th minute after Liverpool spurned a couple of good chances to equalize during a strong spell after the half-time break.
Messi then quashed the comeback effort when he doubled the lead from a rebound with 15 minutes left and followed that up by making it 600 career goals for Barcelona by curling in a perfectly struck free kick in the 82nd minute.
Liverpool dominated long stretches of the match but failed to finish its chances when it had the hosts on their back foot, especially early in the second half. Mohamed Salah almost grabbed a valuable away goal for Liverpool late on, but could only hit the post with the goal gaping.
In Pictures | Barcelona vs Liverpool, Champions League | 01/05/2019
Ben Hayward and David Lynch were at Camp Nou, and here's how the players fared...
Barcelona player ratings (by Ben Hayward)
Starting XI: Ter Stegen 8, Roberto 6, Pique 7, Lenglet 6, Jordi Alba 8, Busquets 6, Rakitic 7, Vidal 8, Coutinho 6, Suarez 7, Messi 9, Semedo 6
Subs: Dembele N/A, Alena N/A
Liverpool player ratings (by David Lynch)
Starting XI: Alisson 6, Gomez 4, Van Dijk 6, Matip 7, Robertson 5, Fabinho 7, Milner 6, Keita 6, Salah 6, Mane 6, Wijnaldum 5
Subs: Henderson 7, Firmino 6, Origi N/A
