Barcelona will play for yet another trophy on Saturday night. If the Catalans can beat Valencia in Seville , they will win a second successive domestic double and claim a record fifth successive Copa del Rey.

Yet not everyone is happy.

For the showpiece at Betis’ Benito Villamarin stadium, the fans have prepared a tifo which reads: “Tots units: som-hi”. All together, let’s go.

The first bit is also a line from the Barca hymn. “Tots units fem força”. All together, we are strong.

After the pain of defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League earlier this month, the message of unity is an important one.

But on social media, there is no such togetherness. Underneath every post from Barcelona’s official account, there is ire and rage, mostly directed at Valverde and Ivan Rakitic.

It has quickly been forgotten how Valverde steered a Barcelona side seemingly in decline and in chaos following the departure of Neymar, supposedly about to be overtaken by Real Madrid, to La Liga and the Copa del Rey in his debut season.

The collapse against Roma is remembered, though. In fact, he has never been allowed to forget it. And now, there is a debacle to supersede that failure: Anfield.

In the aftermath of the 4-0 loss at Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals earlier this month, it seemed likely that Valverde could and would not keep his job. But the Barca boss has since been backed by president Josep Maria Bartomeu. With no obvious replacement out there, he seems set to stay.

When Barcelona beat Getafe 2-0 at Camp Nou five days after Anfield, there were a few timid whistles against the team, but no chants against Valverde. Nor Rakitic.

How the Spanish press reacted to Liverpool’s win over Barcelona 9 show all How the Spanish press reacted to Liverpool’s win over Barcelona 1/9 How the Spanish press reacted to Liverpool’s stunning Champions League comeback against Barcelona… 2/9 SPORT 'the Champions League is too big for Valverde' 3/9 ARA 'Four stabs in the heart for Barcelona fans' 4/9 L’Esportiu 'ridiculous repeat' 5/9 El Mundo Deportivo 'Another European debacle' 6/9 La Vanguardia 'Anfield dynamites Barcelona' 7/9 MARCA “hecatomb” and then a “historic failure” in their Wednesday edition 8/9 AS 'Valverde is the crossfire' 9/9 El Pais “Barca burn on the bonfire at Anfield” 1/9 How the Spanish press reacted to Liverpool’s stunning Champions League comeback against Barcelona… 2/9 SPORT 'the Champions League is too big for Valverde' 3/9 ARA 'Four stabs in the heart for Barcelona fans' 4/9 L’Esportiu 'ridiculous repeat' 5/9 El Mundo Deportivo 'Another European debacle' 6/9 La Vanguardia 'Anfield dynamites Barcelona' 7/9 MARCA “hecatomb” and then a “historic failure” in their Wednesday edition 8/9 AS 'Valverde is the crossfire' 9/9 El Pais “Barca burn on the bonfire at Anfield”

But on Twitter, there was a special campaign to get #ValverdeOUT trending during the match and sure enough, it did. And it has continued ever since.

Valverde is now on the verge of another domestic double and he has lost just 11 games since taking over from Luis Enrique in the summer of 2017.

Two of those came with La Liga already won. Three more were cup losses turned around in the second leg. Another two arrived in the Supercopa, his first fixtures in charge, with Barca broken by Neymar’s exit and well beaten by Real Madrid. And even though the defeats in Rome and Liverpool were desperately disappointing, they are the only ones in Europe during his time as coach.

To put the record into perspective, Real Madrid lost 12 games in 2018-19 in La Liga alone. And since losing out to Los Blancos in that Supercopa series, Valverde is unbeaten against the club’s biggest rivals, with four wins and two draws: 15-4 on aggregate.

Furthermore: the night after Barca’s 3-0 loss in Rome, Zinedine Zidane’s side found themselves 3-0 down at home to Juventus and almost suffered a similar fiasco, before a highly contentious late penalty saw Madrid escape with a 4-3 aggregate success, en route to a third straight title.

It is perhaps that Real run which has done the most damage in the eyes of many. Madrid’s success in Europe in recent seasons has hurt Barca, despite their domestic dominance. And for a lot of fans, it is too much to take.

This was supposed to be the year. Messi had said so in August. Yet there is no guarantee for any club in the Champions League. Juventus, PSG and Atletico Madrid were all obsessed with winning it this term, but the final will be played between Liverpool and Tottenham. That is knockout football.

The collapse at Anfield has sparked a fresh debate about style and it is a genuine question. With greater control in midfield, Barcelona may have survived against Liverpool.

But there are many layers here. Valverde’s tactics can certainly be scrutinised. In order to play the type of football so many demand, though, the right players are needed. Xavi is gone, Andres Iniesta too, while Sergio Busquets is past his peak.

In Pictures | Lionel Messi 40 show all In Pictures | Lionel Messi 1/40 Getty Images 2/40 Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Maracana on June 15, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Getty Images 3/40 FIFA World player of the year winner Ronaldinho, the Gillette Best Young Player Award Leo Messi, and third place FIFA World player of the year Samuel Etoo pose with their trophies before La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Celta, at the Camp Nou stadium December 20, 2005 Getty Images 4/40 Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) vies with Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) and Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 2, 2019 AFP/Getty Images 5/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on as Catalan Pro-Independence flags are seen on the background during the La Liga match between Barcelona and SD Eibar at Camp Nou on September 19, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 6/40 Messi for Argentina Under 20s in 2005 vs PERU AFP/Getty Images 7/40 Lionel Messi from Argentina celebrates with the cup after winning the FIFA World Youth Championships 2005 Final between Argentina and Nigeria on July 2, 2005 in Utrecht, Netherlands Getty Images 8/40 FC Barcelona's Argentinian Messi scores the second goal against Albacete during their Spanish League football match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, 01 May 2005. FC Barcelona won 2-0 AFP/Getty Images 9/40 Argentine Lionel Messi (R) is fouled by Peruvian goalkeeper Leao Butron 09 October, 2005 at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, during their FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 South American qualifying round match. Argentina won 2-0 AFP/Getty Images 10/40 Argentina's footballer Lionel Messi (R) is marked by Brazil's Mineiro during their Copa America Venezuela-2007 final match at the Panchencho Romero Stadium July 15, 2007 in Maracaibo, Venezuela AFP/Getty Images 11/40 Argentinian forward Lionel Messi leaves the pitch with his gold medal after attending the men's Olympic football tournament medal ceremony at the national stadium in Beijing during the 2008 Beijing Olympic games on August 23, 2008. Argentina won gold ahead of Nigeria and Brazil AFP/Getty Images 12/40 Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina sits on top of the world in 2009 Getty Images 13/40 Barcelona´s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) and Barcelona'´s midfielder Andres Iniesta (R) celebrate with the Champions League Cup afte the trophy ceremony on May 27, 2009 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. Barcelona defeated Manchester United 2-0 in the final of the UEFA football Champions League AFP/Getty Images 14/40 Lionel Messi (2R) of Barcelona tests the defence of Manchester City (FLTR) Richard Dunne, Pablo Zabaleta, Gareth Barry and Stephen Ireland during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between Barcelona and Manchester City at the Camp Nou Stadium on August 19, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. Manchester City won the match 1-0 Getty Images 15/40 Diego Maradona head coach of Argentina talks with Lionel Messi of Argentina as they celebrate victory after the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Argentina and South Korea at Soccer City Stadium on June 17, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa Getty Images 16/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona poses with the trophy after victory in the UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium on May 28, 2011 in London Getty Images 17/40 Lionel Messi of Argentina receives the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012 trophy on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. Getty Images 18/40 David Beckham (R) of PSG shakes hands with Lionel Messi of Barcelona ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona FCB at Parc des Princes on April 2, 2013 in Paris, France Getty Images 19/40 Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's third goal as Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid looks dejected during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Bernabeu on March 23, 2014 in Madrid, Spain Getty Images 20/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona with his son Thiago walk out the pitch prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Camp Nou on September 24, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 21/40 Sergio Aguero (L) and Lionel Messi of Argentina react while walking off the field after defeating Iran 1-0 during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Argentina and Iran at Estadio Mineirao on June 21, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil Getty Images 22/40 Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany hugs Lionel Messi of Argentina after Germany's 1-0 victory in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Getty Images 23/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona with the match ball after scoring three goals during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at Camp Nou on December 7, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 24/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona performs an overhead kick under a challenge by Nicolas Otamendi of Valencia CF during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Valencia CF at Camp Nou on April 18, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 25/40 FIFA Ballon d'Or nominees Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid smile during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2014 at the Kongresshaus on January 12, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland. Getty Images 26/40 Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates with the trophy after the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus and FC Barcelona at Olympiastadion on June 6, 2015 in Berlin, Germany Getty Images 27/40 Barcelona players including Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez celebrate victory with the trophy after the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus and FC Barcelona at Olympiastadion on June 6, 2015 in Berlin, Germany Getty Images 28/40 Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates with his winners medal after victory in the UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Dinamo Arena on August 11, 2015 in Tbilisi, Georgia Getty Images 29/40 Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona and his partner Antonella Roccuzzo attend the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland Getty Images 30/40 Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona receives the Ballon d'or during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland Getty Images 31/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona holds up the FIFA Ballon d'Or trophy prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club de Bilbao at Camp Nou on January 17, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 32/40 Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina interacts with a fan who ran onto the field prior to the start of the second half during a 2016 Copa America Centenario Semifinal match between Argentina and the United States at NRG Stadium on June 21, 2016 in Houston, Texas Getty Images 33/40 Argentina's Lionel Messi (C) is marked by Chile's Arturo Vidal (L) eyed by Argentina's Ever Banega during the Copa America Centenario final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States, on June 26, 2016 AFP/Getty Images 34/40 Lionel Messi (L) and Andres Iniesta (R) of FC Barcelona lift up the Spanish La Liga 2015-2016 season trophy before the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou on August 20, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 35/40 Neymar (R) of Brazil greets Lionel Messi of Argentina during a match between Brazil and Argentina as part of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifier at Mineirao stadium on November 10, 2016 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil Getty Images 36/40 Gianluigi Buffon, Dani Alves, Leonardo Bonucci, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Andres Iniesta; Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar pose for a selfie as they are named The Fifa FifPro World XI during The Best FIFA Football Awards Show on October 23, 2017 in London Getty Images 37/40 Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi poses with his four Golden Shoe awards after receiving the 2017 European Golden Shoe honoring the year's leading goalscorer during a ceremony at the Antigua Fabrica Estrella Damm in Barcelona on November 24, 2017 AFP/Getty Images 38/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona in action during the La Liga match between Real Betis Balompie and FC Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 17, 2019 in Seville, Spain Getty Images 39/40 AFP via Getty Images 40/40 Lionel Messi after Barcelona were thrashed 8-2 by Bayern Munich. POOL/AFP via Getty Images 1/40 Getty Images 2/40 Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Maracana on June 15, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Getty Images 3/40 FIFA World player of the year winner Ronaldinho, the Gillette Best Young Player Award Leo Messi, and third place FIFA World player of the year Samuel Etoo pose with their trophies before La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Celta, at the Camp Nou stadium December 20, 2005 Getty Images 4/40 Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) vies with Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) and Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 2, 2019 AFP/Getty Images 5/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on as Catalan Pro-Independence flags are seen on the background during the La Liga match between Barcelona and SD Eibar at Camp Nou on September 19, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 6/40 Messi for Argentina Under 20s in 2005 vs PERU AFP/Getty Images 7/40 Lionel Messi from Argentina celebrates with the cup after winning the FIFA World Youth Championships 2005 Final between Argentina and Nigeria on July 2, 2005 in Utrecht, Netherlands Getty Images 8/40 FC Barcelona's Argentinian Messi scores the second goal against Albacete during their Spanish League football match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, 01 May 2005. FC Barcelona won 2-0 AFP/Getty Images 9/40 Argentine Lionel Messi (R) is fouled by Peruvian goalkeeper Leao Butron 09 October, 2005 at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, during their FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 South American qualifying round match. Argentina won 2-0 AFP/Getty Images 10/40 Argentina's footballer Lionel Messi (R) is marked by Brazil's Mineiro during their Copa America Venezuela-2007 final match at the Panchencho Romero Stadium July 15, 2007 in Maracaibo, Venezuela AFP/Getty Images 11/40 Argentinian forward Lionel Messi leaves the pitch with his gold medal after attending the men's Olympic football tournament medal ceremony at the national stadium in Beijing during the 2008 Beijing Olympic games on August 23, 2008. Argentina won gold ahead of Nigeria and Brazil AFP/Getty Images 12/40 Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina sits on top of the world in 2009 Getty Images 13/40 Barcelona´s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) and Barcelona'´s midfielder Andres Iniesta (R) celebrate with the Champions League Cup afte the trophy ceremony on May 27, 2009 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. Barcelona defeated Manchester United 2-0 in the final of the UEFA football Champions League AFP/Getty Images 14/40 Lionel Messi (2R) of Barcelona tests the defence of Manchester City (FLTR) Richard Dunne, Pablo Zabaleta, Gareth Barry and Stephen Ireland during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between Barcelona and Manchester City at the Camp Nou Stadium on August 19, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. Manchester City won the match 1-0 Getty Images 15/40 Diego Maradona head coach of Argentina talks with Lionel Messi of Argentina as they celebrate victory after the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Argentina and South Korea at Soccer City Stadium on June 17, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa Getty Images 16/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona poses with the trophy after victory in the UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium on May 28, 2011 in London Getty Images 17/40 Lionel Messi of Argentina receives the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012 trophy on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. Getty Images 18/40 David Beckham (R) of PSG shakes hands with Lionel Messi of Barcelona ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona FCB at Parc des Princes on April 2, 2013 in Paris, France Getty Images 19/40 Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's third goal as Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid looks dejected during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Bernabeu on March 23, 2014 in Madrid, Spain Getty Images 20/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona with his son Thiago walk out the pitch prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Camp Nou on September 24, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 21/40 Sergio Aguero (L) and Lionel Messi of Argentina react while walking off the field after defeating Iran 1-0 during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Argentina and Iran at Estadio Mineirao on June 21, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil Getty Images 22/40 Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany hugs Lionel Messi of Argentina after Germany's 1-0 victory in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Getty Images 23/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona with the match ball after scoring three goals during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at Camp Nou on December 7, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 24/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona performs an overhead kick under a challenge by Nicolas Otamendi of Valencia CF during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Valencia CF at Camp Nou on April 18, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 25/40 FIFA Ballon d'Or nominees Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid smile during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2014 at the Kongresshaus on January 12, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland. Getty Images 26/40 Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates with the trophy after the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus and FC Barcelona at Olympiastadion on June 6, 2015 in Berlin, Germany Getty Images 27/40 Barcelona players including Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez celebrate victory with the trophy after the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus and FC Barcelona at Olympiastadion on June 6, 2015 in Berlin, Germany Getty Images 28/40 Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates with his winners medal after victory in the UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Dinamo Arena on August 11, 2015 in Tbilisi, Georgia Getty Images 29/40 Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona and his partner Antonella Roccuzzo attend the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland Getty Images 30/40 Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona receives the Ballon d'or during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland Getty Images 31/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona holds up the FIFA Ballon d'Or trophy prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club de Bilbao at Camp Nou on January 17, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 32/40 Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina interacts with a fan who ran onto the field prior to the start of the second half during a 2016 Copa America Centenario Semifinal match between Argentina and the United States at NRG Stadium on June 21, 2016 in Houston, Texas Getty Images 33/40 Argentina's Lionel Messi (C) is marked by Chile's Arturo Vidal (L) eyed by Argentina's Ever Banega during the Copa America Centenario final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States, on June 26, 2016 AFP/Getty Images 34/40 Lionel Messi (L) and Andres Iniesta (R) of FC Barcelona lift up the Spanish La Liga 2015-2016 season trophy before the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou on August 20, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 35/40 Neymar (R) of Brazil greets Lionel Messi of Argentina during a match between Brazil and Argentina as part of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifier at Mineirao stadium on November 10, 2016 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil Getty Images 36/40 Gianluigi Buffon, Dani Alves, Leonardo Bonucci, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Andres Iniesta; Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar pose for a selfie as they are named The Fifa FifPro World XI during The Best FIFA Football Awards Show on October 23, 2017 in London Getty Images 37/40 Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi poses with his four Golden Shoe awards after receiving the 2017 European Golden Shoe honoring the year's leading goalscorer during a ceremony at the Antigua Fabrica Estrella Damm in Barcelona on November 24, 2017 AFP/Getty Images 38/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona in action during the La Liga match between Real Betis Balompie and FC Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 17, 2019 in Seville, Spain Getty Images 39/40 AFP via Getty Images 40/40 Lionel Messi after Barcelona were thrashed 8-2 by Bayern Munich. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Prior to Valverde’s arrival, Barca lost 4-0 away to PSG in the Champions League and also 3-0 to Juventus…

Clearly, the issues run deeper than the coach.

Carles Alena and Riqui Puig represent the future of La Masia, while Frenkie De Jong’s arrival should see Barca’s midfield improve. But all of that will take time.

Some of the abuse aimed at Valverde is extremely distasteful. The 55-year-old has done an excellent job overall, is popular with the players and is quite clearly a good person. If he wins on Saturday, he will have five trophies as Barca boss. Yet he is treated as if he has led the club to rack and ruin.

Maybe it is because they are just very angry people with extremely difficult lives. Whatever it is, if they cannot appreciate this Barcelona team, they should probably not bother."

And here is the thing: it is fine to think that Valverde’s brand of football is not ideal for Barcelona in the long run, but it is not at all helpful or acceptable to insult and abuse a decent man who has brought much more success than failure to the club.

In addition, the grass is not always greener. Ajax’s Erik ten Hag has ruled himself out of the job already, while former Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri would hardly represent an upgrade in style terms. And he, like Valverde, is a coach who has won leagues and cups, but failed in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, there has been a huge clamour on social media for Quique Setien after he left Betis. The 60-year-old’s ideas are based on those of Johan Cruyff, but he is notoriously stubborn in his approach, finds it tough to work with egos in the dressing room and his admiration for Lionel Messi might make it difficult for him to coach objectively. He would be great for Real Sociedad or Villarreal, but does not appear right, nor ready, for Barca.

The Barca board have considered Ronald Koeman, a club legend from his time in Cruyff’s Dream Team and his winner in the 1992 European Cup success. But the current Netherlands coach almost took Valencia down in his troubled time at Mestalla, winning the Copa del Rey as the players went against his tactical instructions, and was more recently sacked by Everton.

A big Barca fan account was recently “reeling” at news Valverde might stay, yet excited by the possible arrival of Koeman as coach. Be careful what you wish for.

The vilification of Rakitic is another unsavoury sight on Twitter. The Croatian’s arrival helped Barca toughen up in 2014-15 and he was key in their treble that season, scoring the opener in the final as the Blaugrana beat Juventus.

But now, since the Liverpool loss in particular, it is in vogue to make him the scapegoat – even though Busquets has arguably been much worse this term. The latter, of course, is from La Masia, and was not pictured smiling (how dare he?!) at a fayre in Seville the day after Anfield.

Ironically, many Barca fans who once arrogantly proclaimed to others that “you don’t understand what Busquets does”, now do not seem to understand why Rakitic is so important.

The 31-year-old’s work off the ball and tactical discipline are invaluable to this team and that is why he has been so highly rated by both Luis Enrique and Valverde. “Not Barca DNA,” some say. As if that should matter. In 2006, Mark van Bommel, Deco and Edmilson started in midfield for Barca in the Champions League Final against Arsenal. Back then, the fans just wanted to win. Happier, simpler times.

Pep Guardiola, for all his brilliance, is not succeeding in the Champions League either. The purists will hope he returns to Camp Nou one day and that would indeed be an exciting prospect, but the Catalan coach also ended his reign on bad terms with a number of players – including Gerard Pique and Messi.

Guardiola had Xavi and Iniesta in their prime. He had a young team and a style of play in its infancy at that time. But football has changed, hence his inability to win the Champions League since. Others teams have learned and evolved.

So while it is true that Barca would do well to return to a style that made them great under the current Manchester City manager, the right players are needed for that. Younger ones, too. And that comes down to squad planning, not just the coach.

Valverde is being battered online for his philosophy. But it is not as if the Catalan club has played Pep-style football since 1899. Far from it. That was the peak and it should be the ultimate objective. Demanding it, plus a treble every year, is as unreasonable as it is unrealistic.

Football should be about enjoyment. And even if Valverde’s style is not as pleasing to the eye as Pep’s or other sides, some of Barcelona’s play is still sublime. And there’s Messi at his breath-taking best. Fans should be grateful for that.

So why are they so irate? Online fans miss out on the entire match day experience. Perhaps if they attended games at Camp Nou and experienced the atmosphere, the sense of community and the joy inside the stadium, their anger would dissipate.

Maybe it is because they are just very angry people with extremely difficult lives. Whatever it is, if they cannot appreciate this Barcelona team, they should probably not bother. Football is supposed to be fun and Barca still offer plenty of that. In addition, supporters are meant to actually support the team.

All of those so-called supporters – and there are many – hoping Barcelona will be beaten by Valencia just so Valverde will lose his job are not real supporters at all. And those spamming Barca’s official account with hashtags on Twitter are just making themselves look ridiculous, like spoilt children.

Their chief complaint is that Valverde is wasting Messi’s final years. Or that Barca are.

The irony is that it is they, instead of enjoying possibly the finest footballer to grace the game and the team’s best ever era, who are wasting Messi’s final years with their persistent protests and bitter bleating online. And when he is gone, they will probably regret it.