Miles Ahead: Messi Praised After Masterclass Performance vs Liverpool

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has continued to receive praise from far and near following his sensational performance against Liverpool in the Champions League.

Messi proved to be the difference between the two sides as Barcelona took a big step towards the Champions League final.

The Argentine national team skipper scored a brace to lead Barcelona to a 3-0 win over the Reds in the first leg of their semifinal tie.

Luis Suarez had given Barcelona the first half lead against his former club for his first goal of the season in the Champions League before the brace from Messi.

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The little magician scored his goals within the space of seven second-half minutes to take his goal tally to 600 in the Barcelona shirt.

The latest praise for Messi came from Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac who described him as the best player in the world.

Niko Kovac was speaking about Messi and his masterclass performance against Liverpool during his pre-match press conference ahead of the German Bundesliga clash between his Bayern Munich side and Hannover 96.

Bayern Munich host Hannover 96 on Saturday with the hope of going five points clear at the top of the German Bundesliga table before title rivals Borussia Dortmund travel to Werder Bremen later in the day.