Virgil van Dijk is facing his biggest challenge against Luis Suarez while Mohamed Salah knows he can make life difficult for Gerard Pique… the key clashes as Liverpool face Barcelona
- Virgil van Dijk has shackled strikers all season but faces biggest challenge yet
- Jordan Henderson and Ivan Rakitic cross paths for first time since World Cup
- Mohamed Salah has roared back into form in recent weeks with key goals
Liverpool’s quest for silverware this season takes them to the Nou Camp on Wednesday night.
Barcelona stand in their way as they chase a second consecutive Champions League final.
Here Sportsmail take a look at some of the key clashes ahead of the first leg in Spain.
Luis Suarez vs Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk has shackled strikers all season long but this is his biggest challenge
The newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year has shackled strikers all season long but this, without question, is his biggest challenge.
Suarez is the best No 9 in world football and those who played with the Uruguayan at Anfield know he is going to take Van Dijk out of his comfort zone.
Lionel Messi commands the spotlight, but Suarez is formidable and he is on a mission to dump his former club out of Europe.
Ivan Rakitic vs Jordan Henderson
The last time Ivan Rakitic and Jordan Henderson crossed paths was in the World Cup semi-final
There is no point trying to stop Messi. The key to being successful against Barcelona is stopping the supply line to him, which Rakitic will aim to provide.
The last time Rakitic and Henderson crossed paths was in the World Cup semi-final in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium and the Croatia playmaker came out on top.
Liverpool’s captain, who will have support from Fabinho and Gini Wijnaldum, will need to smother Rakitic. It will be a fascinating battle.
Gerard Pique vs Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah will know what damage he can do to Gerard Pique on Wednesday night
It has been noticeable in recent weeks how Salah has roared back to form and he has scored many important goals.
This is the kind of stage he wants to command but Pique has been a master at this level for many years and knows every trick in the book.
Marcus Rashford, however, gave Pique difficulties in the quarter-finals and Salah will have studied the tapes to see what damage he can do as Liverpool seek a famous win.