Liverpool vs Porto result: Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino secure Champions League lead - five things we learned
Jurgen Klopp's side take a handy lead into the second leg in Portugal next week with attention switching to the Premier League and Chelsea this weekend
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Your support makes all the difference.Roberto Firmino helped Liverpool secure a 2-0 lead in their Champions League quarter-final heading back to Porto for the second leg.
Naby Keita swiped home the opener early on with the help of a sizeable deflection.
And it was two before the break as Trent Alexander-Arnold slid the ball across the six-yard box for Roberto Firmino to tap home, snapping a five-game streak without a goal in Europe.
Moussa Marega then failed to punish the Reds’ rare lack of concentration at the back, seemingly unsettled in the absence of the suspended Andy Robertson, with the Malian twice failing to test Alisson.
Liverpool had chances to add to their lead but will be comfortable with their lead in order to allow maximum attention as they switch focus back to the title race in the Premier League against Chelsea this weekend.
1. Keita finding feet
Naby Keita has been underwhelming for Liverpool since his blockbuster move from Leipzig, yet Jurgen Klopp appears to have unearthed a decisive weapon as the Reds battle down the home straight for the two biggest prizes on offer.
Scurrying around at the base of Porto’s midfield to force turnovers and moving the ball quickly at turnovers, the Guinean has finally arrived, providing passing lanes with his energy off the ball.
A first goal against Southampton on Friday, Keita quickly doubled his tally in Red with his deflected opener and with it, the midfield puzzle at Anfield evolves once more.
2. Milner proves Robertson’s worth
James Milner slotted in for the suspended Andy Robertson, who has proven to be a swashbuckling force from left-back this season.
Robertson’s absence proved noticeable as Jurgen Klopp’s side failed to swarm Porto with quite as much efficiency with Milner in his place.
In fact, Porto attempted to expose the lack of continuity at the back for the Reds early, feeding Otavio, who found the space between Milner and Virgil van Dijk, only to be denied by unorthodox cover in the form of a battling Mohamed Salah.
Klopp, while relieved at Liverpool’s ability to cope in Robertson’s absence against inferior opposition, was reminded of the Scot’s importance.
3. Marega spurns glorious chances to secure away goal
A Champions League specialist, Moussa Marega has scored six in seven this term in Europe and just one more than that tally with seven in 23 Liga appearances, yet Marega squandered two glorious chances to give the Portuguese side life in the tie.
The first an angled drive straight at Alisson after finding space in the inside left channel, before the Malian was presented with an even better opportunity moments later from the subsequent corner.
After an initial clearance, Otavio outmuscled Salah and his knockdown found Marega in space on the penalty spot. The 27-year-old swivelled to volley on goal, but his effort lacked power and failed to test Alisson, giving the Reds a reprieve.
4. Militao shows class
The first recruit of Zinedine Zidane’s second spell in charge at Real Madrid, Brazilian Militao commanded £43.1 million and was given the toughest job of the night: shadowing Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian seldom picked up pace without finding the Brazilian in his way, with the Porto defender even shuffling out wide to deny Salah the opportunity to run at the attack-minded Alex Telles.
Consistently monitoring the ball carefully, Militao pinched possession several times from the Reds forwards to demonstrate his worth ahead of his summer switch.
5. Klopp makes up for lack of conventional creativity
Still lacking that spark in midfield since Philippe Coutinho’s departure and the failed pursuit of Nabil Fekir, Jurgen Klopp appears to be gradually circumventing the issue.
With Fabinho providing both resistance and efficiency on the ball at the base of the midfield, Klopp is able to emphasise off-the-ball movement from his other two midfielders.
And Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita provided it in heaps to open up passing lanes, the former in particular was able to move on to the ball at pace, giving himself time to pick out Trent Alexander-Arnold in the build-up to Roberto Firmino’s goal.
With a relentless schedule, Klopp will undoubtedly look to James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum again, but for now this trio appears to be the first choice moving forward, hiding the Reds’ lack of craft in behind their deadly front three.
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