Liverpool vs Porto, Champions League - as it happened
Re-live all the action from Anfield
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool host Porto at Anfield in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, with the hosts' 5-0 first-leg lead giving this game the feeling of a formality to be completed, rather than a true contest for quarter final progression.
Jurgen Klopp’s side gave a stunning performance over 90 minutes at the Estádio do Dragão just under a fortnight ago, ending Porto’s 21 game unbeaten run at home with ease through goals from Liverpool’s eclectic trio of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, who bagged a hat-trick.
Liverpool’s first-leg performance has given them a seemingly unassailable lead to take back to Merseyside, and one senses it might require some ‘Istanbul’ antics of a Portuguese origin to turn this tie back around for Porto.
Since being demolished at home in the first leg, Porto have returned to winning ways domestically, though the task posed by playing Liverpool at Anfield may prove to be a stretch too far for Sérgio Conceição’s side.
Follow the game below with our live blog:
Match preview
It’s a big game for...
Mohammed Salah. Liverpool’s Egyptian talisman collected his third Premier League player of the month award on Monday, and Tuesday’s contest presents yet another chance for the likely recipient of the PFA Players’ Player of the Year Award to prove himself on the biggest stage of domestic football. Goals have not been hard for Salah to come by in 2017/18, with six in the UCL to date, and he could well add to this tally in a potential demolition of Porto at Anfield.
Best stat...
Liverpool have scored more goals than any other team in this season’s Champions League (28), including 25 in the past five games.
Remember when...
Liverpool ran riot in the first-leg of this tie with an exhibition of fierce attacking prowess? Any excuse to watch these goals again...
Player to watch...
Sadio Mane. After scoring a hat-rick in the first leg in Portugal, Mane will be looking to add to his UCL goal tally at Anfield, currently boasting six goals in 2017/18. He will be brimming with confidence, having also scored in consecutive Premier League games since the victory over Porto just over a fortnight ago.
Past three meetings...
Porto 0 Liverpool 5, Champions League, February 2018
Liverpool 4 Porto 0, Champions League, November 2007
Porto 1 Liverpool 1, Champions League, September 2007
Form guide...
Liverpool: WDWWWW
Porto: WLWWWW
Odds…
Liverpool to win: 13/25
Draw: 16/5
Porto to win: 6/1
75' - Angel Di Maria concedes possession cheaply in the middle of the park and that allows Madrid to break with Karim Benzema. The Frenchman has Cristiano Ronaldo in support but perhaps selfishly opts to go it alone and sees his shot blocked by Marquinhos.
76' - Julian Draxler replaces Angel Di Maria for PSG, while Gareth Bale replaces Karim Benzema for Madrid.
78' - Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos is booked for a late challenge on Javier Pastore.
GOAL! PSG 1-2 Real Madrid (Agg: 2-5) (Casemiro, 80)
Casemiro wraps qualification up for Los Blancos as his side-footed effort from just inside the area deflects off Marquinhos and over Alphonse Areola, who was already diving in the opposite direction.
82' - Toni Kroos attempts to inflict more misery on Unai Emery's side but his curled effort from the edge of the area sails over the crossbar.
83' - Off the woodwork... twice!
Gareth Bale's low cross is turned towards goal by Lucas Vazquez but Alphonse Areola turns the ball onto the post with his foot.
Just moments later Cristiano Ronaldo almost doubles his tally for the night but he also sees his shot from inside the area clip the post.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments