The defeated LaLiga side were in no mood to wait around
Lionel Messi was reportedly left behind at Anfield by Barcelona after his side’s shock 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in their Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday night.
The Argentine magician was forced to stay behind to undergo an anti-doping test before arranging his own transport back to Barcelona, with his defeated team seemingly in no mood to sit around Merseyside listening to the joyous celebrations taking place.
After a stunning first leg display capped off by a stunning free-kick, Messi found himself unable to stamp his authority on the second leg. He fluttered here and there like a prize fighter ready to unleash, but was consistently combated by Liverpool’s disciplined defending.
No Salah.
No Firmino.
No Problem.Liverpool are in the Champions League Final! pic.twitter.com/xuF3S7ISZy
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) May 7, 2019
He had one half-chance in each half of the game: the first a quick shot from outside of the box which whizzed just past Alison’s left hand post, with the second a deft touch and shot after a one-two with Ivan Rakitic early in the second half.
In truth though Messi’s bark was, for once, worse than his bite, and both he and his Barcelona teammates will be happy to see the back of Anfield for another few months at least.
