The magical Lionel Messi scored not one but two goals against Liverpool including a stunning, stunning free-kick to record his 600th goal for Barcelona.
His free-kick in the 82nd minute was magnificent. The Argentine maestro gloriously stroked the ball over the wall and into the top corner in jaw-dropping fashion.
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And his inch-perfect set-piece makes for even better viewing from every camera angle. Time to gawk:
Beautiful. Messi genuinely takes free-kicks like they're penalties. There's just an air of inevitability when he steps up with that wand of a left peg.
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Messi.
"In these moments he is unstoppable," he said following his side's defeat. "We couldn't defend the free kick. What a strike.
"The second goal was probably not the nicest in the career of Lionel Messi but it shows his skills that he is even there in that moment. Apart from that I was happy in how we defended the whole Barcelona team.
"I am a big admirer of them, as is everybody, but my boys didn't show too much respect, they were there every time.
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"We played football and I liked that. I knew before that Lionel was a world‑class player and now I saw it again I am not too surprised."
Barcelona eventually beat Liverpool 3-0 at the Camp Nou. Messi, of course, bagged a brace with Luis Suarez also getting on the score-sheet.
He scored against his former side to open the scoring in the 26th minute.
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Mohamed Salah had a wonderful opportunity to net an away goal but he struck the woodwork from close-range.
Second-half substitute Ousmane Dembele could have wrapped up the tie deep, deep into stoppage time yet he fluffed his lines after Messi played him in.
The return leg goes down next Tuesday.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Suarez, Football, Barcelona, Free-kick, Lionel Messi, Salah, Champions League, Camp Nou
