Champions League: 3 Tactics from Ernesto Valverde which won Barcelona the game against Liverpool

#2 Playing Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic in deeper roles than usual

Barcelona v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Semi Final: First Leg

At the start of the match, Liverpool were having the better of Barcelona's midfield as Ivan Rakitic and Vidal were playing much higher up the field. But after 20 minutes or so, Rakitic was asked to play in a much deeper role and he, alongside Sergio Busquets, almost operated as two defensive midfielders.

But this tweak worked wonders as it allowed Barcelona to keep hold of the ball in their own half and didn't allow Liverpool much space at their end. In the second half, when Liverpool came at Barcelona with everything, Rakitic and Busquets were holding their ground and coming in the oppositions' way.

Rakitic was almost with Mohamed Salah for most of the second half and Busquets kept Georginio Wijnaldum out of the game. Valverde will be proud of his midfield after this mature display against one of the better attacks in Europe.