Former Liverpool star dents Blues’ Champions League hopes

Manchester City suffered a blow to their Champions League hopes as Luis Suarez’s first-half brace earned Barcelona a 2-1 victory in a breathless last-16 first leg at the Etihad Stadium.

The former Liverpool star got his revenge for City’s Premier League title win last season with a fine double, as the Blues, who finished the game with ten men, were thoroughly exposed at the back in a dreadful first 45 minutes.

City did improve after the break, though, and Edin Dzeko should have scored with a close-range header which was saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen, while Sergio Aguero also fired wide.

And the hosts deservedly pulled a goal back through Argentine hitman Aguero, who combined well with David Silva before finding the net with a powerful strike.

But their hopes of forcing an equaliser were immediately dented when Gael Clichy was sent off for a second yellow card following a reckless challenge on Dani Alves.

City continued to pressure the Catalan giants in the remaining minutes but their efforts weren’t enough to level the scores, while Joe Hart kept the Premier League side in the tie with a brilliant penalty save to deny Lionel Messi.

Man City fans were hopeful of claiming a result against the four-time winners following their 5-0 thrashing of Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.

But Tuesday night’s clash proves they still have a long way to go to compete with the rest of Europe’s top table as they were outclassed in a horror show of a first-half.

They were guilty of sloppy passing which allowed Barca to craft ten great chances in the opening 30 minutes of play, with Messi a constant menace and Neymar dazzling with a series of neat flicks and touches which left full-back Pablo Zabaleta for dead on the edge of the box.

It was Suarez, though, who put the rampant visitors in front, the Uruguayan taking advantage of a costly error from Vincent Kompany on the edge of the area to fire past Hart with a crisp angled finish.

City began to be torn apart at the back as Barcelona bypassed their midfield with ease, and the hosts had goalkeeper Hart to thank when he smothered another effort from Suarez as he broke through one-on-one after some outrageous skill from Messi.

The former Redman wasn’t to be denied again moments later, however, as he doubled his and his side’s tally from close-range to cap off a wonderful team move involving Messi and Jordi Alba.

Barca would have had a third on the stroke of half-time if it weren’t for the woodwork, as Dani Alves beat the onrushing Hart with a cheeky chip but the Brazilian was foiled by the crossbar.

City ended the half strongly, with Nasri testing Ter Stegen for the first time with a curling shot, and Dzeko wasted a great chance to pull one back straight after the re-start when he powered a free header straight at the German shot-stopper from six yards.

Aguero then showed some power to shrug off his markers and send Ter Stegen flying across his goal, but the striker’s effort sailed just beyond his far post.

But the City star was on target to lift his side with 20 minutes to play, giving the Premier League champions a European lifeline with a smashing finish after an inspired backheel flick from Silva on the edge of the area.

The Etihad faithful were on the edge of their seats in anticipation for what seemed to be an impending equaliser, but their hopes were shattered when Clichy was given his marching orders just minutes later.

Messi looked to have sealed it with a neat chipped finish over Hart in the closing stages, only for the Argentine superstar to be flagged offside, and he later kicked the turf in frustration when, in a frantic finale, he saw a spot kick – after he was needlessly brought down by Zabaleta – well saved by Hart.

And the England number one’s heroics may prove vital in City’s chase at the Nou Camp, as they look to progress from the last 16 for the first time.