Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is ‘on edge of abyss’ following their Champions League humiliation at Liverpool, report Marca.
The report cites how the Barca considered firing Valverde after last season’s disastrous quarter-final exit of the competition at the hands of Roma.
That time, the Catalan giants blew a 4-1 first leg advantage to be eliminated 4-4 but the nature of their elimination to Liverpool this season now appears to be even more severe.
Leading 3-0 from the first leg, Valverde’s side were facing an injury-hit Liverpool side without star forwards Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
The report continues that the nature of the fourth goal, a corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold passed into an unmarked Divock Origi to easily finish, was particularly painful.
The Barcelona boss was stunned by the goal from the a quick corner saying:
“An incredible goal has taken us out of the tie,” he told a post-match news conference.
“When I looked, the ball was already coming in. We were happy with the strategy situations because there they are a great team, but in a surprising play that I did not see, they scored.
“I did not see the play clearly, I guess we were not watching and they were ready.
Valverde has come under criticism for his conservative team selection and for his use of Philippe Coutinho, who was one of a number of players to underwhelm massively on the night.
Despite renewing his contract at the Camp Nou a few months ago, Marca say this agreement is ‘not unbreakable’ and Valverde’s future at the club is now extremely precarious.
After the match Valverde said
“How does it affect my future? I do not know, the truth is that I did not have time to think about many things, but the coach has to take responsibility,” he told Movistar Plus.
Do you think Ernesto Valverde will be Barcelona boss next summer?
