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Attendance: 55,212
Liverpool logo
Champions League | Semi-Finals
May 7, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

4-0

Origi (7', 79'), Wijnaldum (54', 56')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Suarez ready to face critics after Barcelona's Champions League exit

Suarez ready to face critics after Barcelona's Champions League exit
© Reuters
The Catalan club surrendered a 3-0 semi-final first-leg lead to lost 4-3 on aggregate to Liverpool.

Luis Suarez apologised for the manner of Barcelona's Champions League exit and insists the players are ready to face the "bullets" now heading for them after the failure.

For the second successive season the Catalan side threw away a three-goal first-leg lead: last campaign in the quarter-final in Rome, on Tuesday night in a febrile, hostile Anfield as Jurgen Klopp's side scored four unanswered goals to win 4-3 on aggregate.

It was a credit to the hosts that Lionel Messi, who did so much damage in a late 15-minute spell in the Nou Camp, was restricted to an observer's role while Suarez himself was left frustrated, with a kick-out at Andy Robertson which ended the Reds defender's night highlighting his frustration.

Andrew Robertson was forced off following a clash with Luis Suarez
Andrew Robertson was forced off following a clash with Luis Suarez (Peter Byrne/PA)

Despite Liverpool's thrilling performance and fully deserved victory Barcelona still find themselves with some difficult questions to answer, with the Spanish media labelling the defeat "The biggest farce in football" and "The blackest page in Barcelona's history".

"We are very sad, hurt. We are human beings, we feel the pain, the frustration. We have to do self-criticism, put our chest out for the bullets of what is coming now," said Suarez, who endured a painful return to his former club.

"It's the second time the same happens to us. We can not make these mistakes two years in a row, we have to reproach ourselves for what we are doing wrong, thinking that everything was finalised.

Barcelona defenders switch off as Divock Origi scores the clinching goal
Barcelona defenders switch off as Divock Origi scores the clinching goal (Peter Byrne/PA)

"We are the ones who play. The coach made the tactics that he made in the first leg. We, the players, have to be self-aware, we are the ones who play.

"We have to apologise for the attitude, we were not a team. To our families, our children, our fans, we have to ask their forgiveness.

"It cannot be that in a minute we concede two goals. The fourth goal we looked like youngsters. We have to understand all the criticisms that are going to rain on us."

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp watches on during his side's match against Barcelona on May 1, 2019
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