Barca v Liverpool: the day Arbeloa blocked Messi

Barcelona and Liverpool have not been regular contenders in Europe, but they have left a few scars that are still remembered by both teams. For example, that knockout round of Champions that ended with a British victory.

Coached by Benitez, Liverpool could not have made things worse in the first leg, played at the Camp Nou. In the 14th minute, Deco headed to the back of the goal of Pepe Reina after a mistake by Alvaro Arbeloa. 

He was, possibly, the only one who performed and met the expectations. The Spanish international had arrived just 21 days earlier, from Deportivo. In a match of this magnitude, Benítez didn't think twice about it.

He placed Arbeloa in the starting line-up, on the left wing. On that same side was a young Leo Messi, more extreme of a player in those days than he is now. Arbeloa did not leave his side, and ended up blocking the Argentinian on more than one occasion. 

He chased him constantly, tackled the player when needed and even denied him a goal in the second half. It was a great performance that helped Liverpool advance to the quarter-finals.