Messi vs Van Dijk, Salah vs Pique... Barcelona vs Liverpool key clashes

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.

Let's take a look at some of the key clashes ahead of the first leg in Spain.

Messi vs Van Dijk

The newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year has shackled strikers all season long but this, without question, is his biggest challenge.

Van Dijk has played at the Camp Nou once, for Celtic in the 2013-14 group stage of the Champions League, and highlights of his impressive performance have been widely replayed on social media this week. The Netherlands captain has watched the compilation too, but admits a 6-1 defeat against a Barcelona side without Messi was a learning curve and not a fond memory.

Lionel Messi commands the spotlight and he is going to take Van Dijk out of his comfort zone. His double against Manchester United in the quarter-finals took him to 24 Champions League goals against English opposition – twice as many as any other players.

Ivan Rakitic vs Jordan Henderson

If there is no point trying to stop Messi, the key to being successful against Barcelona would be 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

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.

Valverde vs Klopp

Ernesto Valverde already delivered a second LaLiga title in as many years, following on from last season’s league and cup double. But the 55-year-old’s often conservative style of play has not received universal praise from the Barca faithful, and there is no question he could use a Champions League title to strengthen his position. Valverde signed a one-year contract extension in February, but whether he gets another one may depend on their progress in Europe.

Delivering a style of play that pleases fans has not been a problem for Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, but the wait for silverware under the German is not over yet. There is every chance it will be within the next few weeks, however, which will only add to his already strong popularity on Merseyside and beyond.