Barcelona have been haunted by their recent failures in the Champions League and there are concerning signs for the Catalans as they prepare for Tuesday's last-16 first leg away to Olympique Lyonnais.
The former Real Madrid striker is expected to make his Liverpool debut in their lunchtime game against Manchester United at Anfield.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard announced that he would be staying at Anfield.
Liverpool failed to muster a single shot on target in a Champions League game for the first time since a 1-0 defeat to Benfica in February 2006.
Manchester United continued their perfect start to the Premier League season by crushing Swansea City 4-0 with three late goals in four minutes.
"I want to finish my career very strong. I want to add some more medals and trophies to my collection. So I think it's a match made in heaven, really.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
The Chelsea coach has said his players will return to London as heroes even if they fail to reach the Champions League final.
Leaders Manchester City kept up their unbeaten run with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday. Manchester United salvaged a 2-2 draw at Southampton, who sacked manager Mark Hughes on Monday.
Liverpool belatedly kick-started their year and damaged Tottenham Hotspur's slender Premier League title hopes as Sadio Mane struck both goals in a 2-0 victory at Anfield.
Images from the EPL matches played on Sunday
Michael Owen scored his first Newcastle United goal to help them beat Blackburn Rovers 3-0.
Bayer Leverkusen will be without five regulars when they taken Liverpool in the Champions League knock-out tie.
The Liverpool and England striker is joining Real Madrid.
Liverpool and Manchester United's globe-trotting squads must shake off the effects of international duty for one of English football's most eagerly-anticipated clashes on Saturday.
Manchester City claimed the win required to finally end Liverpool's relentless attempt to dethrone them as Premier League champions as they hit back from a goal down to crush Brighton and Hove Albion on the south coast on Sunday.
Liverpool have been put off by Real Madrid's insistence on a transfer fee for the Portuguese midfielder.
Steven Gerrard's second-half goal gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over second division Watford in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp is full of admiration for Leicester City's style of football which has propelled the Midlands club to the top of the Premier League.
Lucas ended a goal drought stretching back to 2010 and Divock Origi missed a late penalty as Liverpool beat fourth tier Plymouth Argyle 1-0 in an FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday.
Owen has been the mainstay of England's attack since bursting on to the biggest stage at the 1998 World Cup.
Michael Owen's first-half double helped Liverpool crush Blackburn Rovers 4-0 and reclaim fourth place in the English premier league.
Chelsea beat Bayern Munich 4-2 while while Milan beat city rivals Inter 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League first leg quarter-finals.\n\n
Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are all preparing for sudden-death Champions League games.
Liverpool needed two extra-time goals to beat NottsCounty 4-2 at Anfield on an eventful night for the Premier League clubs in the League Cup second round on Tuesday.
Images from Sunday's Premier League matches.
'If you arrive at a new club in a new country from Real Madrid then you are under pressure,' said the Liverpool manager of his Spanish midfielder.
Champions Manchester United travel to Swansea City for their first Premier League match under new manager David Moyes, while Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City are at home to Newcastle United on August 17.
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling struck twice as the Premier League champions beat Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park on Sunday to go top of the table and heap pressure on title rivals Liverpool.
The holders and runners-up made their exit from the League Cup in the fourth round after being beaten by Bolton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion respectively.
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