Barcelona vs Liverpool predicted line-up: Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho to start against former club

A look ahead to the Champions League semi-final first leg at the Nou Camp

Barcelona host Liverpool in a Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday evening.

In the last round, Jurgen Klopp’s side thrashed Porto 6-1 over two legs, while Barcelona dismissed Manchester United from the competition with a 4-0 aggregate win in the quarter-finals.

Both teams come into the tie in formidable form. Barcelona secured the La Liga crown on Saturday for the fourth time in five years, and Liverpool kept themselves one point behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race with a 5-0 rout of relegated Huddersfield.

Liverpool are aiming to extend their 19-game unbeaten streak, while Ernesto Valverde’s side chase a historic treble with former Liverpool pair Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho expected to lead the line.

Predicted line-ups

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Melo; Messi, Suarez, Coutinho

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Mane, Origi

Barcelona are still without the injured Rafinha, who tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in November, while Roberto Firmino could be absent from the Liverpool front line with a muscle tear.

What time does it start?

Barcelona vs Liverpool kicks off at 8pm (GMT).

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2, with coverage beginning at 7pm.

Subscribers can also watch the game on BTSport.com and the broadcaster’s app, or in ultra-high definition on BT Sport 4K UHD.

Luis Suarez will start against his former club (Action Images via Reuters)

Head-to-head…

Liverpool 0-1 Barcelona, Champions League, March 2007

Barcelona 1-2 Liverpool, Champions League, February 2007

Barcelona 0-0 Liverpool, Champions League, March 2002

Liverpool 1-3 Barcelona, Champions League, November 2001

Liverpool 1-0 Barcelona, UEFA Cup, April 2001

Form guide…

Barcelona: WDWWWW

Liverpool: WWWWWW

Coutinho also faces his former side (Getty)

Odds…

Barcelona to win: 10/11

Liverpool to win: 14/5

Draw: 16/5

(Odds by Betfair)

Prediction… Barcelona 2-2 Liverpool

Trying to keep Messi quiet in his own backyard will be the trickiest test of the season so far for Virgil van Dijk - who was named PFA Player of the Year last weekend - and for Liverpool, it’s about grabbing as many away goals as they can manage.

If they succeed in doing that, they will position themselves promisingly for one of those famous nights at Anfield in the return leg.