Video and reactions: Lionel Messi free-kick stuns Liverpool at the Camp Nou

Uefa Champions League semi-final first leg 
Barcelona 3 Liverpool 0 

Lionel Messi hurt Liverpool with two late goals to leave the Reds on the brink of elimination from the Champions League.

For long periods of the semi-final first leg in the Camp Nou the visitors made life uncomfortable for Barcelona, but whereas Liverpool failed to take the chances that fell their way their hosts didn’t.

A former Anfield star, Luis Suarez, put Barca one up midway through the first half when he timed a run into the penalty area to perfection, flicking home Jordi Alba’s gloriously weighted pass.

Messi magic

Then Messi doubled the advantage on 75 minutes when he was first to pounce on the rebound as Suarez’s shot came off the bar.

Seven minutes later the Argentine scored his second of the evening, and his 600th goal for Barcelona, weaving his magic from a free-kick.

Even Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had to smile as Messi put the ball into the Reds’ top corner from 25 yards out.

It was 14 years to the day since Messi scored his first for Barcelona – against Albacete – and since that May day in 2005 he has established himself as one of the legends of the game, reaching 600 senior club goals in 118 games fewer than Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I’d rather not think about how he does it, to be honest, but he always shows up when we need him the most,” said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. “This time just when we were in situations in which we had to shake Liverpool’s domination off.”

You just knew that Lionel Messi had something special up his sleeves for goal No. 600 %uD83D%uDC10

A magnificent free-kick should be enjoyed from every angle %uD83D%uDE4C pic.twitter.com/IGyAOzZ7BB

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 1, 2019

Costly misses

Liverpool could, and should, have scored a crucial away goal but James Milner was twice denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Roberto Firmino’s effort was cleared off the line and Mohamed Salah hit the post as he followed up with the goal at his mercy.

Thoses misses could prove costly when the two sides meet at Anfield in the second leg on Tuesday 7 May (8pm, live on BT Sport).

The worry for Liverpool, as Klopp conceded, is that apart from burying their chances, his side played some great football.

“I think it was the best away game in the Champions League – not only this year, last year included,” said the German. “I told the boys I’m proud of how we played. Against a side like this, playing this kind of football, I was completely happy.”

Bravehearts

In the second half Liverpool not only had more possession than their hosts (57.4%), they also had more shots on target (four to three). Those stats, explained Klopp, are reasons to be cheerful.

“I can work really well with this game,” he said. “I will use this game to show the boys what is possible. It was a brave performance that was very passionate, very lively and, in a lot of moments, creative and direct.”

What they said about the magic of Messi

Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona head coach: “The truth is, Leo’s always surprising… In the end, I don’t know how he does it, but he always does.”

Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager: “Obviously we couldn’t defend the free-kick. What a strike. He’s a world-class player. In these moments, he’s unstoppable.”

Cesc Fabregas, former Barcelona midfielder: “Hats off to Liverpool, what an amazing performance. You can only lose a game like that if against you there is a good team but specially a player that is well above the rest.”

Gary Lineker, former England striker and BT Sport pundit: “WOW! Just Wow. Messi scores his 600th goal for @FCBarcelona with as good a freekick as you’ll ever see. The little genius defies logic.”

Rio Ferdinand, former England defender and BT Sport pundit: “Running at this pace with bodies all around him with his head high, and he always seems to release the ball just at the time when the defender is stretching and can’t get back.”

Messi free-kick: Twitter reactions and fan videos

Lionel Messi scores his 600th career club goal with a RIDICULOUS free kick! %uD83D%uDC4F pic.twitter.com/ceNB26t2FC

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 1, 2019

– May 2005 Messi’s first goal.
– May 2019 Messi’s 600th goal.
%uD83D%uDC51 pic.twitter.com/svBerlLDAO

— True Soccer Life %u26BD%uFE0F (@TrueSccrLife) May 2, 2019

1%uFE0F%u20E3 Club
1%uFE0F%u20E35%uFE0F%u20E3 Shirts
6%uFE0F%u20E30%uFE0F%u20E30%uFE0F%u20E3 Goals

Ladies and gentlemen, Leo Messi%uD83D%uDD25%uD83D%uDC10 pic.twitter.com/aVEgOwQNBS

— Barcaholics (@MoviesMissed) May 2, 2019

ICYMI: Messi%u2019s free kick last night pic.twitter.com/swqGNMX89l

— SportMargin (@SportMargin) May 2, 2019

That Freekick..
There’s no wrong with Allison movement.,
There’s no wrong with the defender..,
Its just too good..too precise..too superb..too fantastic.. too phenomenal.
Leo Messi the man%uD83D%uDC4C pic.twitter.com/UArwFFtJg9

— The Dreamer %u2764%uFE0F%uD83C%uDDF3%uD83C%uDDF5 (@CzanB) May 2, 2019