Porto v Liverpool preview: all you need to know
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Article summary
Liverpool won 5-0 at Porto last season but Jürgen Klopp warns that his side face a stiffer challenge this time.
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Article body
- Liverpool lead 2-0 after last week's first leg
- Pepe, Herrera return from suspension for Porto
- Conçeicão: At times they're the best in the world
- Liverpool won 5-0 at this stadium last season
- Barcelona await the winners in the semis
Reporter's view (Carlos Machado, UEFA.com): Porto will have to produce the bold approach that has served them so well at home this season to turn this tie around. Had Moussa Marega been sharper, the Portuguese side might have been level at Anfield last week, so Liverpool have been warned. The Reds will no doubt sit back and look to play on the counter as they did to devastating effect here last term. The first goal will be crucial.
Possible line-ups
Porto: Casillas; Militão, Pepe, Felipe, Alex Telles; Danilo, Herrera, Otávio; Brahimi, Soares, Marega
Out: none
Doubtful: Corona (ankle)
Misses next match if booked: Danilo, Felipe, Militão, Otávio
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Keïta, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Out: Brewster (knee), Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Lovren (illness)
Doubtful: Gomez (leg), Lallana (muscular)
Misses next match if booked: none
Key battle
Héctor Herrera v Fabinho: The Mexican was a major absence through suspension last week. Porto's No16 brings intensity and an eye for goal that could be key as the Dragons chase a comeback. The versatile Fabinho offers similar attributes for Liverpool. The Brazilian was a big first-leg influence, and continues to gather momentum as the season progresses – could he help the Reds over the line this time?
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Form guide
Porto
Last game: Portimonense 0-3 Porto (Saturday)
Form: WLWDWWWWLW
- If the loss at Anfield was only Porto's third away defeat all season, they returned to type at the weekend.
Liverpool
Last game: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea (Sunday)
Form: WWWWWWWDWD
- Liverpool's win over Chelsea returned them two points clear at the Premier League summit, though closest rivals Manchester City still have a game in hand.
Sérgio Conceição, Porto coach
We face a two-goal deficit against a very strong team who are quick on the break. Getting the attacking balance right is fundamental. I like the way Liverpool play. At times they are the best team in the world.
The technical team will establish the game plan, then it's up to the players to put it into practice. They are the responsible for everything good that has happened so far. There is no greater motivation than to be competing in a quarter-final and to have the chance to produce a historic comeback.
Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool manager
So far it's been a very positive season but we're not here to celebrate that. The season is not finished, we have to fight really hard and are here to get to the next round.
Hopefully we can control it again. There are moments before we win the ball or after we win the ball when the boys look really, really good. Sometimes we are really good [as Conceição says].