Valverde warns Barcelona: Last year we also had a three-goal advantage

Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde is keen for his players to remember their embarrassing Champions League exit to Roma last season, following their 3-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.

The elimination at the hands of Roma came at the quarter-final stage, yet Valverde wants his players to remain concentrated.

"Sometimes you can dominate the rhythm of the game and sometimes they can dominate you," he stated.

"At some moments, Liverpool played the game how they wanted to.

"It is a great result, but last year we also had an advantage of three goals and well, something happened to us."

Luis Suarez opened the scoring before Lionel Messi scored a brace, with Valverde highlighting the importance of his captain.

"We know who Leo is, but he does not stop surprising you," said the coach.

"Leo is the captain, the player who manages the game and the rhythm of the game.

"He has been decisive again and has driven us to achieve this victory but, as I've said, there is still the away leg to play."

On the hour mark, Nelson Semedo replaced Philippe Coutinho and the 55-year-old explained that he had planned the change beforehand, though not necessarily for the Brazilian.

"Since the start of the game I knew that Semedo would come on," noted Valverde.

"I didn't know if it would be for Coutinho, but their left side is very dangerous and we wanted to control it.

"I think we improved after that."