Barcelona odds-on for Champions League glory after Liverpool victory

Lionel Messi once again rose to the big occasion as the Barcelona skipper helped his side to a 3-0 victory over Liverpool in Camp Nou and put his side on the verge of a place in the Champions League final.

The Argentinian scored twice in the second half to add to Luis Suarez's first-half opener and the Catalans are just 8-15 to lift the trophy in Madrid on June 1.

The scoreline slightly flattered the Spanish champions who had to soak up plenty of Liverpool pressure and were lucky not to concede with James Milner, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, who hit the post late on, missing excellent chances.

Barca, though, were more clinical and the game will be remembered for Messi's stunning free-kick which has left Liverpool needing snookers in the return leg and Paddy Power counting the cost with punters copping at 33-1 in-play about Messi scoring from a free kick.

Jurgen Klopp's men are evens with bet365 to win in 90 minutes at Anfield next Tuesday and 12-1 to reach their second successive Champions League final having lost to Real Madrid last season.

Barcelona are just 1-25 to finish the job and it's 1-3 that they face Ajax in the final.

Ajax are 1-0 up in their tie with Tottenham and are a general 23-20 to win inside 90 minutes in Amsterdam next Wednesday and 1-3 with BoyleSports to end Spurs' run in the competition.

The Dutch side are 7-2 to lift the trophy, with Tottenham 11-1 and Liverpool 14s.

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