Luis Suarez and Barcelona Preparing to Face “Similar” Liverpool

Barcelona won’t be caught out by Liverpool’s aggressive press—if indeed the Reds take an aggressive, high-press approach—when the two sides face off on Wednesday evening in the Champions League.

So says former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, who sees a lot of similarities in how the sides approach the game, how they line up and build their play, and how the look to unsettle their opponents.

“Liverpool have a way of playing that can surprise people,” Saurez noted. “They can play out from the back and have excellent players in the middle who do well at getting the ball to the forwards.

“They can play in a way that is similar to our way of playing, with a similar shape. I don’t think there is much difference in style—both teams are very strong and the other will have to look out.”

For Suarez, of course, there’s also the added wrinkle of taking on his former club, and he has previously acknowledged that this Liverpool are a far stronger side than the one he left five years ago.

In the end, though, there is no uncertainty on the pitch. A few holdovers aside, Liverpool are a different team. No one will take it easy on Suarez since he used to play in red—and he won’t take it easy, either.

“Obviously I remember people there with affection,” the Uruguayan added. “It creates a bit of uncertainty on a personal level, but as a team our goal is clear and we will go into it like any semi-final.”