FC Porto were looking for revenge as they visited Anfield on Wednesday night to take on Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. Last year, this illustrious competition brought these two sides together in the Round of 16. Liverpool dominated the tie, winning 5-0 on aggregate, with all goals coming in the first leg at the Estádio do Dragão in Portugal. Porto were looking for redemption from last year’s contest and looking to beat Liverpool for their first time in their history.
Liverpool were looking to assert their dominance from the start as Jürgen Klopp lined up his men in his classic 4-3-3 formation. There were few changes made by the Liverpool coach with the deadly attack of Mane, Firmino, and Salah leading the front lines. Porto manager Sérgio Conceição also showed a 4-3-3 formation to start the game. In-form striker Moussa Marega led the attack with six group stage goals.
Champions League Revenge Goes Wrong For Porto
Another Tough Start for Porto
Porto had the first chance of the game in just the second minute through target man Moussa Marega. The striker latched onto the low and bouncing cross with a quick, swooping half-volley from inside the box which sailed wide. Even if it was a half-chance, the Malian striker knew he could have given his side a crucial away goal which would have rattled Anfield.
Just a few minutes later, Liverpool responded.
The reds took a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute through a well-worked goal finished off by Naby Keita. James Milner sent a first time ball, releasing Sadio Mane down the left wing. The Senegalese international managed to split the defenders with a pass into Roberto Firmino who opened himself up inside the 18-yard box. The Brazilian striker was able to lay off a pass for Keita to hit first-time from just outside the area. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas had no chance as the shot took a heavy deflection and sailed into the top corner.
The pace and energy of the game began to pick up. Starman Mohamed Salah was hungry for a goal, leading all players with seven shots. In the 22nd minute, Salah had his best chance of the game due to a sloppy back-pass. The Egyptian international displayed his skill and speed by getting to the ball first and gliding around his defender Filipe. He was one-on-one with Iker Casillas but slid his quick shot wide of the Spanish keepers’ post.
Doubling the Advantage
The Reds maintained a high-level pressure and intensity and were rewarded with their second goal coming in the 26th minute. This time it was Firmino who scored it after a smart run and wonderful build-up play. Firmino started the move by coming deep to get the ball and then sent Jordan Henderson a square ball into space. The Liverpool skipper slipped a wonderful pass in between defenders to find the run of Trent Alexander-Arnold. All the English right-back had to do was square the ball to the unmarked Firmino who had stormed in brilliantly for his trademark ‘no-look’ tap-in. Liverpool took a 2-0 lead and were looking comfortable for the most part.
Just three minutes later, Porto almost got one back through a series of interesting events. Moussa Marega found himself in behind Dejan Lovren and forced a quality kick save from Alisson. As the ball was crossed back in, Alisson tapped it on its way behind for a corner. However, it hit Trent Alexander-Arnold on the arm, before officially going out of play. Porto players loudly claimed for a penalty but the VAR review booth confirmed the call to the referee of ‘no penalty’.
On the following corner kick, the initial cross into the box was headed clear. However, the second ball into the box bounced to no one else but, Moussa Marega. The striker once again failed to take advantage of the incredible opportunity, placing his half-volley directly at Alisson. This time it was Liverpool who was awarded a break for a lapse of concentration at a crucial moment.
Not long after, Roberto Firmino missed the chance to double his tally. The striker found himself unmarked in the opposition box yet again. This time, however, his finished lacked composure as his shot sailed over the bar. The first half ended with Liverpool on top by two goals to nil and provided the majority of the action in the game.
A Stingless Second Half
In the 47th minute, Liverpool almost scored their third of the night. Mane fired a volley between the legs of Casillas and into the goal. However, the Senegalese international saw his wonderful finish called back for offside.
Porto were only dangerous through their main man Marega as he had multiple half-chances. His movement and work rate was a problem for the Liverpool defence as he had three or four decent opportunities to get at least one valuable away goal. Each time the Malian was unable to convert, letting Liverpool off the hook on multiple occasions.
Liverpool were controlling the ball for the most part, but could not break down the Porto defence. The Portuguese side was determined on avoiding a third Liverpool goal and the match ended at 2-0. Porto were unable to exert their revenge as they were shut out at Anfield. However, the tie is far from over as Porto have one more chance to knock Liverpool out of the Champions League. The two sides will meet again for the second leg next week.
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