Liverpool defender reveals Champions League game plan to stop Messi

Robertson admits Liverpool must defend as a team [Courtesy]

Andy Robertson admits Liverpool will have to defend as a team to deal with Lionel Messi.

The Reds travel to the Nou Camp on Wednesday night for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Messi has enjoyed another incredible campaign with his goals firing Barca to the La Liga title.

His sights will now be set on a first Champions League since 2015 and Liverpool will have to be at their best to stop the Barca skipper.

Robertson, who is likely to be directly up against the Argentine, insists it will not be a one-man job.

"I don’t think you have to prepare any differently from any other game. Of course, you’re playing against a better player than you usually would... he’s the best player in the world," the Scot told UEFA.

You can maybe watch clips, although I don’t know if that would help, mind you!

Messi celebrates with the La Liga trophy [Courtesy]

“But I think we all need to be prepared because he drifts all over the pitch.

"You watch him, and sometimes he’s back in the centre-half spot, picking up the ball from deep and things like that, so he’ll start on the right but I’m prepared for him not to stay out there. But I know he’ll be running at us at times, and it’s all about how we defend it."

Robertson admits Barca have the players to hurt Liverpool, even if they manage to keep Messi quiet.

“We need to defend in packs, but the problem is that it’s not just him," he added.

"If you keep him quiet, then you’ve got Coutinho, who we all know well, you’ve got Suarez and people like that who can cause you problems, so it’s not about keeping one man quiet, it’s about keeping the whole team quiet, and that’ll be the hardest thing for us.”