Liverpool visit Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday, April 17, holding a healthy two-goal advantage from the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
Goals by Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino gave the Reds a 2-0 win, but the margin of victory could and probably should have been much greater.
They were comfortable for most of the game, although Porto did create some chances late on which could have put a different complexion on the tie.
The result left Liverpool as second favourites in the Champions League betting to win the tournament, but manager Jurgen Klopp refused to underestimate Porto’s chances of progression during his post-match interview.
“We deserved the win 100 percent,” he said. “We scored two wonderful goals, we were in a lot of really dangerous situations. Overall it was a really good performance.
“Two-nil is a really, really good result – I would probably have taken that before the game and I’ll take it now.
“Two-nil, the game is still on, we have to go there and fight. Porto will try everything to strike back and that will be a really tough game again.”
Porto have won all four of their Champions League matches this season, but an away goal for Liverpool would certainly put them in a commanding position.
The impressive victory means Liverpool have extended their unbeaten home run across all European competitions to 21 games.
It also took Porto’s winless run in England to 20 matches, the most a club has played away at English opposition without ever earning a win.
However, they are generally tough to beat on home soil and will fancy their chances of coming back against the Premier League side.
Jurgen Klopp’s team won 5-0 at this venue in last season’s knockout stage, but it would be surprising to see a similar demolition job this time around.
Porto have scored in every home game this season and they be will hoping that Moussa Marega can find his shooting boots after missing a couple of chances at Anfield.
Liverpool are unbeaten in seven meetings with Porto, keeping a clean sheet in five of them, and they should have enough quality to book their place in the last four.
An early goal would undoubtedly give Porto renewed hope, but if Liverpool can safely navigate the first 20 minutes of the game they would in a great position to make it through. All in all it makes for a cracking game and an excellent reason to watch Champions League matches live – let’s hope both sides live up to their potential.
