Lots of funny stuffs have been making the rounds in the media for the past 48 hours as regards the semifinal fixture between the Spanish champions Barcelona and last Season's UEFA Champions league finalists, Liverpool. While many think that Barcelona will leave no stone unturned in their quest to conquer Europe this season, some sports analysts have downplayed the possibility of Liverpool progressing to the finals. Being a Barcelona fan, that assertion sounds good in my ear, but as a sports realist, I really don't think Liverpool is an underdog as far as this champions League semifinal is concerned. In fact, I have never been more afraid of a team than now.

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As a Barcelona faithful, I will not in my right senses put my money on Barcelona against a highflying Klopp's side. Before now, many thought the English premier league is Liverpool's priority, but from the way events have been unfolding, especially as regards their posture towards both competitions, one can't really tell where they bury their soul. They are in for this champions league trophy and any attempt to underrate the guys from Anfield could spell doom for Barcelona. Jurgen Klopp is no new comer when it comes to European football, and Liverpool are no toddlers to mess around with in a knockout stage. You can ask AC MILAN in 2005.

Though many feel Porto was no match for the reds in the quarterfinal rounds, but I would rather say Liverpool are too good not to pass through Porto's nose. Liverpool didn't really start off their Second leg encounter at Estadio do Dragao with their usual furnace, it took them a little while to get into the mood and boom! Porto was humbled. The English side really had no qualms in dislodging their Portuguese opponent, as they cruised to a 6-1 aggregate win. Don't forget they walked past Porto 2-0 at Anfield in their first leg encounter.

Fear Of A Barcelona Fan

If there was a team I prayed so much to avoid in this champions league, it was Liverpool. I don't know what motivates them, but I think they have got the right attitude towards their games and the conviction that they can go all the way despite the pressure. Having seen them eliminate the German champions in the round of 16 at the Allianz Arena, I think Barcelona will be facing their toughest opponents in the competition so far.

Though they qualified as runners up behind PSG in their group C fixture, Klopp's side have proved their mettle and have shown that their appearance in the final last season against Madrid was not a fluke. They are now force to reckon with and anyone who doesn't see them as a potential winner of the trophy, maybe reasoning in the wrong direction.

When playing against a tactician like Klopp who has maintained consistency in European football, you sure know that you're coming up against a giant and it's not gonna be an easy mountain to climb. Klopp is a bag of experience as this clash with Barcelona will be his third semifinal adventure as a Liverpool coach. Does that look like a fluke to anyone? Well, it doesn't to me. Even though he hasn't been able to grab that one elusive trophy as a Liverpool manager yet, you can always cut him some slacks for making the winners work for their glory.

Liverpool have won their last eight games and are unbeaten in their last 17 games in competitions. Am pretty sure they must have spotted the cracks in Barcelona's defense against Manchester United and will be looking forward to exploring those interstices. An attacking team with goal breathing dragons like Mane, Firmino and Salah will strain Barcelona's defense and trust me, these guys are on fire! Liverpool have netted 18 goals already in this competition, and that's a good form if you ask me.

Liverpool have also got one of the best defensive back line in Europe. For me, Liverpool is a team that has the best center back, in the person of Van Dijk. He sits in the heart of the defense and controls the buildup to the attack. He inspires confidence and surges forward to net the goals himself when occasion demands. Indeed, if Barcelona must unsettle this team, Lionel Messi will need to double whatever impact he has made in past games, and the Catalan giants should be wary of the fact that Salah, Mane and Firmino are not Rashford, Lingard and Lukaku. In all, Liverpool is no walkover, Play Safe and don't lose your money!