Pique: Barcelona must move on from Anfield ‘nightmare’

Last season’s defeat to Roma played a part

Gerard Pique has been talking about Barcelona’s Champions League defeat at Liverpool and says his team need to move on from their Anfield “nightmare.”

Ernesto Valverde’s side took a 3-0 lead to Merseyside but were beaten 4-0 by the Reds, and Pique believes last season’s collapse at Roma played a part in the defeat.

“When something like that happens, everything or almost everything goes wrong,” he said.

”I think people were mentally affected by what happened in Rome because it had happened so recently. It was a mental block.

”They pressed very high, we lacked our usual passing rhythm, and it was very intense. Anfield also played its role.

“We weren’t able [to cope] and it was a very hard day. It is a loss that will linger over time. It was a nightmare.

”It’s been hard to lift ourselves up emotionally because the days passed but the loss wasn’t forgotten. We have to step forward.

Source | El Pais

Pique also spoke about criticisms of manager Ernesto Valverde and said it is not his job to say if he should stay, he also insisted the Barcelona boss wants the team to play with the right style.

We should hear more from Pique later today. The defender is scheduled to join Ernesto Valverde and Lionel Messi in the team’s pre-match press conference ahead of the Copa del Rey final.

Source: barcablaugranes.com