Van Dijk: I have no idea how Liverpool are going to stop Messi Champions League Will meet in Champions League semi-final

Barcelona appear laser-focused on reaching a first Champions League final since their triumph in Berlin in 2015, yet they will first need to overcome an impressive Liverpool side, although Virgil van Dijk has already admitted to having no idea of just how he and his teammates will stop Lionel Messi.

A comfortable victory over the worst team left in the tournament in Porto allowed Liverpool essentially a free pass into the semi-final, but they will face their biggest test of the campaign against a Blaugrana side that seems incapable of making a mistake at the present moment.

"I have no idea how we're going to stop him," Van Dijk explained.

"We'll see, we all have to do it as a team.

"It should never be a case of one-against-one; it shouldn't be me against a single opponent.

"The only way to defend well is to do it as a unit, but it will be difficult because he is the best player in the world."