Liverpool continued their excellent form in the Champions League by recording a home victory against FC Porto. The Reds eased past the visitors with a comfortable 2-0 victory.
The 6 times European Champions came into the match having already qualified for the next stage. However, that did not make Liverpool go easy on Porto. The goals for the Premier League side was scored by Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah.
Victory against Porto means that Liverpool has won all 5 of their opening group stage matches, and will move on to the knockout stages as group leader. The qualification to the next stage for Porto will now be in their own hand as they will face Atletico Madrid next.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 PORTO: TEAM NEWS
The home side made multiple changes to the side that won 4-0 against Arsenal. Both Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold was given some rest in defence as Ibrahima Konate and Neco Williams started instead of them.
After making his debut in Premier League as a substitute, Tylor Morton made his Champions League debut in the same week. He made it into the starting eleven of Liverpool in place of Fabinho. Diego Jota was also given rest as Takumi Minamino was called into action. Alisson Becker started as the captain of the side in the absence of other senior players.
Porto on the other hand made substitutes 4 from the side that won 5-1 against Feirense. Francisco Conceicao, Vitinha, Wilson Manafa and Fabio Cardoso all made way for Luiz Diaz, Segio Oliviera, Joao Mario and Pepe.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 PORTO: POST-MATCH ANALYSIS
Porto made a bright start to the game as they tried to upset the rhythm of the home side. While they made multiple efforts on goal, nothing was enough to test goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Sadio Mane seems to have given the Reds a lead, only for VAR to rule it out due to offside.
After a scoreless first half, Porto again tried to start fast from the second half. Liverpool however got the lead in the 52nd minute. A magical hit from Thiago Alcantara from outside the box broke the deadlock.
Minamino did double the lead but was rightfully called offside. The night was capped for Liverpool in the 70th minute when Salah scored his goal for the day. The Egyptian is playing on another level as he has already scored 17 times for the Reds in 17 appearances for them this season.
Porto could not capitalise on the chances they got. The game ended 2-0 as Liverpool maintained their winning streak in the UCL.
WHAT NEXT?
Liverpool will now prepare for their Premier League match on Saturday against Southampton. The Reds cannot lose ground on the league leader Chelsea who are 4 points ahead of them in the table.
For Porto, their next match is against Vitoria SC in the Primeira Lega. The Dragons are on top of the league, though only on goal difference as they have a tough title race with Sporting Lisbon and Benfica.
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