Liverpool 2 Porto 0.
Liverpool recorded a comfortable victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Porto.
Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino got the goals as Jurgen Klopp’s side took command to the tie ahead of the return leg next week.
Here’s how we rated the players:
Alisson Becker – 7
The Brazilian made some smart saves to ensure Porto didn’t get an away goal in the tie.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7
He set-up Firmino’s goal with a pass across the Porto box and was an attacking outlet throughout the game.
Dejan Lovren – 6.5
The Croatian defender started his first game in over three months and got through it unscathed.
Virgil van Dijk – 7.5
Van Dijk strolled through the game against Porto, making a Champions League quarter-final look as easy as a five-a-side game with his mates.
The Liverpool defender was cool in possession, springing several long balls to get his team up the pitch, and made light work of any Porto attacks, making several tackles, blocks and clearances.
James Milner – 7
With Andy Robertson suspended, Miner filled in at left-back and the versatile midfielder was typically solid. It was his clever long pass that started the move that led to Liverpool’s opener.
Great ball by Milner in the build-up to Keita's goal 👌#LIVPORpic.twitter.com/HiPMF4wDxW
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 9, 2019
Fabinho – 7.5
Fabinho impressed with and without the ball against Porto. He was always available for a pass and capable of passing through the lines to get Liverpool on the attack. The Brazilian midfielder also read the game well, making timely interceptions and tackles.
Jordan Henderson – 8
Henderson scored his first goal since September 2017 in Liverpool’s last game, the 3-1 win over Southampton that took them back to the top of the Premier League table. The Liverpool captain came off the bench that night but started against Porto and played in a more advanced midfield position which suited him.
Henderson has looked uncomfortable playing in front of the defence and was more at home playing further up the pitch against the Portuguese side. With Fabinho behind him, he was able to press high and disrupt Porto’s passing from the back. And, with the Porto players standing off him, Henderson had the time and space to pick his passes and ended up playing a key part in Liverpool’s second goal.
The England midfielder played in Alexander-Arnold who squared for Firmino to score a tap-in. Klopp appears to have found the solution to his midfield issues by using Henderson further up the pitch.
Naby Keita – 8
After netting his first goal for the club, Keita retained his place against Porto and opened the scoring against the Portuguese side. The former RB Leipzig midfielder’s strike took two deflections on the way into the net, but he deserved a goal for his efforts.
It has been an uncertain first season for Keita in English football. However, this was his best game for Liverpool so far. In addition to his goal, the midfielder made more tackles than anyone else on the pitch (7) and was neat in possession. His hard work and pressing helped suffocate Porto’s play.
Mohamed Salah – 6
The Egyptian forward appeared to be trying too hard. Salah had more shots on goal than any other player, but only one effort was on target. His passing was also a bit off and he snatched at chances. His runs and movement did, however, cause trouble for Porto, but he has still yet to fully find his finishing touch in front of goal. Lucky not to be punished for a late challenge in the second half.
Sadio Mane – 6
A quiet night by his own standards, Mane was loose in possession and only had one effort on goal.
Roberto Firmino – 8.5
Firmino was near-faultless against Porto. He set-up Keita’s goal and scored one of his own in the first half, finishing off a move he had started himself. As ever, he pressed from the front, winning four tackles, the second-most of any Liverpool player. He also linked play in the final third. The forward now has 13 goals in 21 Champions League games.
Substitutes
Divock Origi & Daniel Sturridge – N/A
Not on long enough to rate.
