The Dragons still dream of a place in the round of 16. Milan defeats Atlético in Madrid and complicates the group’s accounts.
It was in an absolutely chilling atmosphere that Liverpool fans received FC Porto at the mythical Anfield Road Stadium. With the qualification already guaranteed, the coach of the English team Jurgen Klopp opted to spare some players who are usually starting players. However, the fearsome offensive trident had Diogo Costa’s goal in sight: Mané, Firmino, and Salah were the most advanced men in the Reds attack.
Faced with this obvious danger, Sérgio Conceição was certainly happy to be able to count on Pepe. The veteran and experienced center recovered from the injury contracted in the selection and teamed up in the center of the white and blue defense with Mbemba.
And the first clear opportunity of the game belonged to the dragons. It was on the left side that a move that resulted from a loss of the ball was born. Tsimikas gave in to pressure from the young João Mário. The full-back formed at Olival crossed into the area and Taremi headed it. The ball was deflected by Matip and passed very close to Allison’s goal.
Liverpool came to attention again when, in the 12th minute, Taremi assisted Luis Díaz. The Colombian fled at speed to the English defense and served Otávio. The Portuguese-Brazilian, in the face of Alisson and unopposed, could not finish. Following the move, Otávio falls in the area, but without any fault, in the opinion of the referee of the match.
Liverpool had greater possession of the ball, but could not penetrate the white and blue defense. At 23 minutes, here is a huge setback for the FC Porto team.
Pepe had a relapse and immediately asked to be replaced. Sérgio Conceição immediately fielded the young Fábio Cardoso.
The white and blue defense started, as the clock progressed, it lost its consistency and Liverpool took advantage of the spaces. Thiago’s individual quality stood out. The Spanish midfielder had space and isolated Mané between the blue and white defenders.
The forward entered the area and beat Diogo Costa. However, the goal was disallowed due to the Senegalese player’s irregular position.
The second half started with FC Porto again close to opening the scoring at Anfield. Following a free-kick near the corner kick, João Mário lifted the ball into the area and after several rebounds, Uribe managed to control and shot, leaving Alisson nailed to the pitch. The ball passed within centimeters of the English goal post.
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On 51 minutes, Liverpool had an opportunity and scored. It was also following an indirect free-kick, the ball was crossed into the white and blue area and cut out. Thiago filled his right foot and, at first, shot hard for a great goal that raised Anfield’s stands.
From then on, FC Porto lived its worst moment in the game, given the enthusiasm of Klopp’s pupils. Liverpool, at home and with its audience radiating with what I saw it, created many difficulties for the whites and blues, who again suffered in the 70th minute.
Salah did what he wanted to Zaidu, made a table with Henderson, and entered the area. The Egyptian pushed Uribe out of the way and shot without a chance for Liverpool’s second goal of the game.
Liverpool : Alisson, Williams, Matip, Konaté, Tsimikas, Morton, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mané, Salah, Firmino.
Substitutes: Adrián, Kelleher, Fabinho, Van Dijk, Milner, Henderson, Jota, Robertson, Origi, Phillips, Alexander-Arnold.
FC Porto: Diogo Costa; João Mário, Mbemba, Pepe, Zaidu; Otávio, Uribe, Sérgio Oliveira, Luis Díaz; Taremi, Evanilson.
Substitutes: Marchesín, Fábio Cardoso, Francisco Conceição, Pepê, Grujic, Corona, Manafá, Vitinha, Wendell, Bruno Costa, Toni Martínez, Fábio Vieira.
Source: With agencies