When Barcelona tumbled out of the UEFA Champions League at the semi-final stage last May—in an embarrassing 4-0 second-leg defeat against Liverpool at Anfield after leading 3-0 from the first—they were overrun in midfield.
The difference in the teams' age profile was notable—Barcelona's side averaged 29.5 years of age, while Liverpool's stood at 26
Barca need fresh legs, but where they will source them from is a contentious debate among the club's supporters.
Of the 14 players Barcelona used in the season-defining defeat to Liverpool, Sergi Roberto was the most recent graduate to come from the club's youth academy ranks, but he made his Barca debut back in 2010.