Pep Guardiola warns Barcelona over TWO Reds stars in semi-final

BARCELONA have been told to stop two key Liverpool players in particular if they are to progress to the Champions League final.

The Catalan giants host Jurgen Klopp's men tomorrow night (8 pm) in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Barca will go into the game as betting favorites after securing the La Liga title over the weekend.

They are attempting to become just the fourth team to beat Liverpool this season, after Chelsea and Wolves defeated them in cup competitions, while Manchester City inflicted the only league defeat that the Reds have suffered.

And it has been suggested that Barca will take a similar approach to the game as City did, with high pressing and wide attacking.

However, ESPN pundit Gab Marcotti explained that Barca will have to take a different tactical approach, and cut off the attacking prowess of full backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.

Yeah, I don’t necessarily buy that,” Marcotte said of Barca copying City.

“Manchester City have the likes of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane out wide, whereas Barcelona has Lionel Messi, who is an entirely different player.

“I think that the lesson to take from that is the importance of the midfield.

Manchester City are the only team to have beaten Liverpool in the league (Image: GETTY)

“Barcelona are going to feel that if they can starve Liverpool’s front men’s supply from the middle of the park and also pin back the full-backs of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson with Jordi Alba and Messi.

“Then, they can overload the midfield, dominate the game and pick their spots.”

Marcotti agreed with Klopp's claim that Wednesday night’s game might not be a classic Liverpool performance and suggested that instead, it could be a more cagey affair.

“They feel that they have an edge there, and Jurgen Klopp even said himself that we’re not going to see the crash bang wallop heavy metal football that we’re used to seeing from them,” he continued.

Barcelona have been told to stop Andy Robertson attacking (Image: GETTY“We might see a much more measured approach, this is a more mature team than last year, one which can pace itself, and that knows the tie is going to last 180 minutes.

“Even if they don’t do it at the Camp Nou, they will have chances to go and win it at Anfield.”

The return fixture will be played at Anfield on May 7, just days before their final Premier League game of the season against Wolves.