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Barcelona are all but through to the Champions League final

By Chiranjib Ghosh

Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah reacts as he is placed on a stretcher after injuring himself in a challenge with Newcastle United's Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dubravka (not pictured) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 4, 2019. (Photo by Lindsey PARNABY / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)
Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah reacts as he is placed on a stretcher after injuring himself in a challenge with Newcastle United's Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dubravka (not pictured) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 4, 2019. (Photo by Lindsey PARNABY / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona will have a huge advantage at Anfield

Liverpool are a team known for dramatic comebacks, and Jürgen Klopp is a gritty manager. But Barcelona are hands-down favourites to progress to the Champions League final after injuries to Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Naby Keïta, and uncertainty over Virgil van Dijk.

Barça already have a 3-0 advantage, by virtue of Lionel Messi’s amazing brace in the first leg at home. But now, it is highly unlikely that Liverpool will manage to cause an upset. They were dangerous up front at the Camp Nou, but will not be able to replicate that at home.

Salah will probably be replaced by Xherdan Shaqiri. The Switzerland international can cause problems when he is in form. But he is on a 11-match goalless streak, and is an underwhelming replacement for a player of Salah’s caliber.

Georginio Wijnaldum was expected to be replaced by Roberto Firmino in the second leg due to his poor performance as a false nine. But the Brazilian centre-forward sustained an injury in training, and has been rules out of the game.

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As a result, second-choice striker Divock Origi is likely to get the nod as main centre-forward. The speedster recently found the back of the net in a 3-2 victory against Newcastle, a headed goal which was incidentally assisted by Xherdan Shaqiri.

But Origi can never match up to Firmino. This will make Gerard Piqué’s job much easier, along with that of Jordi Alba. A rested Barça defence is now expected to easily repel the Liverpool frontline, and could even manage to keep a clean sheet away from home in a crunch game.

Also, Virgil van Dijk may not take the field. The 27-year old Dutch centre-back could only partially complete training with the rest of the team, and there are doubts over his fitness. Moreover, key performer Naby Keïta will also be out of action for the rest of the season.

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The Blaugrana can already start planning for the Champions League final, which will not be too far away from home although an antagonistic reception waits for Ernesto Valverde’s men at the Wanda Metropolitano. It is likely to be against giant-killers Ajax.

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