Liverpool vs Porto LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
Follow all the latest action as the Reds host the Dragons at Anfield
The pressure is off for Liverpool tonight as they host FC Porto in the Champions League, but it’s still all to play for as far as the visitors are concerned. The Reds won each of their first four group stage games to seal top spot and qualification to the last 16, while the Portuguese side sit in second with two games to play - just one point ahead of Atletico Madrid.
While some supporters would perhaps like to see the Reds rotate to an extent and preserve the first-choice stars who will have an inevitably busy run over the December fixtures, Jurgen Klopp’s chances of doing that are hampered by ongoing injuries, especially in midfield. They come into this match full of confidence and looking sharp after a thumping win over Arsenal at the weekend, with the Reds having lost just one game in all competitions this term.
Porto are not much worse than that, in fact, with just two defeats for themselves in 2021/22 - but one of those came against the Reds two months ago, when the the trident of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane each found the net in a 5-1 thrashing. Follow all the team news and match action as Liverpool host Porto below:
Liverpool 1-0 Porto
61 mins: The ball breaks to Oxlade-Chamberlain on the edge of the box but the Liverpool midfielder is off-balance as he reaches for the ball, and he slices it wide.
Robertson and Henderson are being readied to come on.
Liverpool 1-0 Porto
59 mins: Almost a horror moment for Alisson after the Liverpool goalkeeper plays it straight to Taremi - but the Porto striker was unable to react in time to steer it towards goal.
Liverpool 1-0 Porto
56 mins: Clever defending from Minamino. Liverpool thought they’d cleared the danger but Porto quickly send the ball back into the area. Dias timed his run well and beat the Liverpool back-line, but Minamino tracked the run and put it out for a corner.
Dias then had a similar chance moments later. He looked offside but the play was allowed to continue as Alisson made the save to deny his shot from the angle. Replays showed that Dias was onside, so that was an important stop from the Liverpool skipper.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Porto (THIAGO 52’)
Pick that out! It’s a screamer from Thiago! What a beautiful, beautiful goal. It defies physics actually.
Liverpool had a free kick from the right but Oxlade-Chamberlain’s delivery failed to beat the first man. It’s headed out, where Thiago was waiting.
The Spaniard hits the volley as it was just off the ground, cutting down on the ball and sending the strike whizzing into the net from 25 yards.
The ball remained about 10 centimetres off the ground the whole way in. Just stunning technique and control.
Liverpool 0-0 Porto
49 mins: CLOSE! The free kick form the right is allowed to travel right across the face and Alisson is forced to palm it away. It breaks to Uribe who had his back to goal and was surrounded by four red shirts, but the midfielder was able to turn and a swivel a shot back across goal. Alisson was beaten but the shot was dragged just wide of the post.
Liverpool 0-0 Porto
48 mins: Mario links up with Otavio on the right before the full-back burst away from Tsimikas. Konate comes across and concedes the foul near the corner flag.
The defender needs to be careful as he’s on a booking.
Liverpool 0-0 Porto
47 mins: Porto create the first opportunity of the half as Otavio flashes a ball into the box and Taremi beats Williams to the cross, but the header also flashes wide.
KICK-OFF! Liverpool 0-0 Porto
Back underway at Anfield! Liverpool are attacking the Kop in the second half.
Half time: Liverpool 0-0 Porto
Liverpool are out onto the pitch nice and early ahead of the second half, while Porto take their time to emerge from the tunnel.
The second half is next!
HALF TIME: Liverpool 0-0 Porto
Our match at Anfield is one of three 0-0s in the Champions League so far tonight. The second is the other match in Group B, with Atletico Madrid and AC Milan goalless at the Wanda Metropolitano.
The third is probably the fixture of the night, with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Mauricio Pochettino in Manchester to face Guardiola's City.
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