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It was a night of class for Jurgen Klopp’s men as Liverpool took control of their Champions League quarter-final tie with a 2-0 first-leg victory over Porto.
Naby Keita’s deflected strike after just five minutes and Roberto Firmino’s tap-in midway through the first-half meant it was a fairly comfortable evening for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Porto striker Moussa Marega did cause issues for Dejan Lovren and Virgil Van Dijk, and had a number of opportunities to test Alisson in the Liverpool goal but his finishing was wasteful.
It was not a vintage Liverpool display, but they head to Portugal next week as the overwhelming favourites to progress to the semi-final stage for the second consecutive campaign.
But it took the Reds just five minutes to open the scoring in this season’s tie, although they needed a huge slice of luck. Milner spread the ball wide to Sadio Mane, he crossed the ball for Firmino, who in turn teed up Keita on the edge of the box.
Keita’s effort struck Eder Militao and looped into the top corner, leaving Iker Casillas with no chance and calming any Anfield nerves.
There was another nervous first-half moment for Liverpool when Alisson tipped away a deflected cross with the ball deflecting on to Alexander-Arnold’s arm. The incident was checked by VAR but the referee awarded a corner rather than a penalty.
Mohamed Salah could have been sent off late on for a high tackle with his studs on to Danilo Pereira’s shin but after another VAR review no foul was given.
Liverpool failed to find a third goal which would have made them even more comfortable but they will head to Portugal for the second leg on 17 April as strong favourites to reach the semi-finals for the second-successive year.
Liverpool rarely threatened the Porto goal in the second half but with a two-goal advantage and no away goals conceded, Klopp will be pleased with the professional performance.
Anthony Nlebem
