It’s very possible that Liverpool FC could end this extremely memorable season without a trophy, despite all the big victories won and fine form displayed. Their battle with Manchester City for the Premier League title will go down to the very last minute of the season’s final day.
And in order to return to the UEFA Champions League final, they’ll need to get the tournament’s favorites FC Barcelona. That means a clash against their good old friend- winger Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian and former Liverpool man is poised to start at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
There is one plaudit that Liverpool have already claimed this season however, the PFA Player of the Year award, which went to central defender Virgil van Dijk. The world’s most expensive defender has been worth every penny as he’s led the way in turning the Reds back line around completely.
The group used to be an international punch line, but now they have led the league in fewest goals allowed with 20. If Liverpool are to get it done and pull the upset Wednesday night, expect VVD to play a major part.
The Bank Liverpool FC Starting XI Prediction at Cardiff City (4-3-3)
Forwards: Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah
Midfielders: James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita
Back line: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Andrew Robertson
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Liverpool at FC Barcelona UEFA Champions League Semi-final FYIs
Kickoff- Wednesday May 1 Camp Nou 8pm
Injury report for both sides: go to this link
Starting XI Predictions- FC Barcelona Liverpool
Google Result Probability- FC Barcelona win 51%, Draw 26%, Manchester United win 23%
Referee- Bjourn Kuipers
Odds via Sky Bet- FC Barcelona 17/20, Draw 14/5, Liverpool win 29/10
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets:Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, also contributes to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.