Liverpool front three ease Reds into final four

Updated 17/04/2019 at 22:28 GMT

Champions League quarter-final second leg, Estadio do Dragao – Porto 1 (Militao 68) Liverpool 4 (Mane 26, Salah 65, Firmino 77, Van Dijk 84) – Liverpool win 6-1 on aggregate.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-2 during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Porto and Liverpool at Estadio do Dragao on April 17, 2019 in Porto, Portugal.

Image credit: Getty Images

Liverpool set up a mouth-watering Champions League semi-final against Barcelona after cruising past Porto 4-1, 6-1 on aggregate, with all three members of their front line scoring.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg, the Reds were under the cosh in the first half but the home side lacked a clinical finishing touch and failed to convert a string of chances.

And the visitors made them pay by scoring with their first shot on goal when Sadio Mane slid in to turn home Mohamed Salah’s ball towards goal. It was initially ruled out for offside but the goal was given after a VAR review.

Premier League

Sheffield United relegated after Newcastle rout, Palace draw at Fulham, Wolves beat Luton

27/04/2024 at 16:26

Sadio Mané - FC Porto vs. FC Liverpool

Image credit: Getty Images

Sergio Conceicao’s side brought on forward Francisco Soares in the second half while Divock Origi, making his first Champions League start, was replaced by Roberto Firmino after a suspected injury.

Jurgen Klopp’s men continued to absorb the pressure and hit the Portugese side on the break to make it 2-0 with Salah scoring his 23rd goal of the season from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brilliant through ball.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Porto and Liverpool at Estadio do Dragao on April 17, 2019 in Porto, Portugal.

Image credit: Getty Images

Porto continued to press and were rewarded for their efforts when Real Madrid-bound Eder Militao powered home a header from a corner.

But Liverpool had the final say with Firmino netting with a header from Jordan Henderson’s pinpoint cross before Virgil van Dijk scored a header of his own to keep their quest for the double alive and set up a date with Barca with the first leg on April 30th.

TALKING POINT

Who will come out on top in the battle of the front threes when Liverpool face Barcelona? Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez will relish a return to Anfield while Lionel Messi is again in the form of his life. In the opposite corner, Salah has scored 23 goals, Mane has 22 and Firmino has 17 while Jordan Henderson has transformed into a rather useful attacking player. It should be a goal fest and is sure to get Messi.

Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring

Image credit: Getty Images

MAN OF THE MATCH

Virgil van Dijk(Liverpool): Porto had the lions share of the possession in the first half and the Dutchman showed his composure to keep them at bay. And he reminded everyone of his goalscoring abilities by netting from a corner.

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates after the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Porto and Liverpool at Estadio do Dragao on April 17, 2019 in Porto, Portugal.

Image credit: Getty Images

KEY MOMENTS

28’ - DECISION OVERTURNED, GOAL! Porto 0-1 Liverpool. After a delay of around 2 minutes, VAR has given the goal for Mane from close range from Salah’s ball.

65’ - GOAL! Porto 0-2 Liverpool. The Reds break through Firmino, Alexander-Arnold slides it through to Salah to tuck it in under Casillas.

Mohamed Salah (l.) - FC Porto vs. FC Liverpool

Image credit: Getty Images

68’ - GOAL! Porto 1-2 Liverpool. From a corner, an unmarked Militao powers home a header.

77’ - GOAL! Porto 1-3 Liverpool. Henderson with a pinpoint cross for Firmino whose downward header goes past Casillas.

84’ - GOAL! Porto 1-4 Liverpool. van Dijk makes it four with a header following Milner's corner which was flicked on by Mane.

KEY STATS

Sadio Mane is the first Liverpool player to score 10 Champions League knockout stage goals.
Liverpool have not lost a match against Porto in eight games.

Premier League

'No' - Klopp refuses to address touchline spat with Salah

27/04/2024 at 14:47

Premier League

Liverpool's title hopes in tatters after draw at West Ham as Salah clashes with Klopp

27/04/2024 at 15:39

Premier League

Liverpool agree compensation with Feyenoord over Slot move - reports

26/04/2024 at 20:39

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me