Valverde: Messi never ceases to surprise

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde had run out of superlatives to describe Lionel Messi's following the Argentinian's match winning performance against Liverpool in the Champions League.

Messi reached 600 club goals for the Catalan side with a brilliant late free kick, to add to his earlier goal, to make it 3-0 on the night to La Blaugrana, and his manager was full of praise.

"When now what Messi is.

"But even performances like this cease to surprise now, such is his level of performance.

"He is the captain of this side and the one that makes the decisive impacts."

Messi's brace added to Luis Suarez's first half goal to give Valverde a three goal cushion to take to Anfield next week, however the former Athletic Bilbao was his usual cautions self at full time. 

"Last year (against Roma) we had a three goal advantage and we were eliminated – hopefully that is not the case this time.

"We are in a strong position, but nothing is decided yet."

Tags Ernesto Valverde Lionel Messi Liverpool
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