FC Porto 0-5 Liverpool: In game and Post Match discussion

What strikes me of late is that we don't need to be swarming all over the opponents in periods of intense pressure in order to score like Tottenham do. At any phase in the game, regardless of who's dominating possession, we always seem able to strike at any moment without warning.

All about that counter.
Frightening pace.

Teams in Europe (Except for United) will play more open football.
Klopp's time to shine.

What strikes me of late is that we don't need to be swarming all over the opponents in periods of intense pressure in order to score like Tottenham do. At any phase in the game, regardless of who's dominating possession, we always seem able to strike at any moment without warning.

We definitely seem to have learned the art of game management in the last few games, that's for sure.

Was a lot of talk from Porto about how they can match us. Think we showed them different!

Lot's of these "Top Teams" will talk about how they can match us, including your Barca's and your Real's but what we did tonight sent a message out to them all, don't take the piss and If your gonna play us, then we'll give you a proper game of footy !

We definitely seem to have learned the art of game management in the last few games, that's for sure.

Karius is looking settled, Robertson is miles ahead of Moreno and Big Virgil breeds confidence into the back 4. 
3 changes have managed games better.

I'd pick Didi Hamann more so than Mash If I'm honest HS, but yeah, Imagine......

Nah sorry mate can't stand that Tory anymore and even more since Jürgen didn't give him a post in the coaching team he has been having constant sly digs in the press.

Karius is looking settled, Robertson is miles ahead of Moreno and Big Virgil breeds confidence into the back 4. 
3 changes have managed games better.

and Emre Can wasn't even on the pitch...or Coutinho for that matter !

Karius is looking settled, Robertson is miles ahead of Moreno and Big Virgil breeds confidence into the back 4. 
3 changes have managed games better.

It's unbelievable how far ahead Robbo is ahead of Moreno.

It's unbelievable how far ahead Robbo is ahead of Moreno.

Moreno has no football brain.
Make no mistake, Robertson is an athlete, you'd have to be to run that much, but his positioning is greatly needed.

Was tempted to give MOTM to Milner or Big Virgil,
but if you score 3 you deserve it.

Definitely one of the 'take no sh*t' crew.

Nah sorry mate can't stand that Tory anymore and even more since Jürgen didn't give him a post in the coaching team he has been having constant sly digs in the press.

Fair point, didn't know he'd been blaggin in the press.
He was good though.

What strikes me of late is that we don't need to be swarming all over the opponents in periods of intense pressure in order to score like Tottenham do. At any phase in the game, regardless of who's dominating possession, we always seem able to strike at any moment without warning.

I'm more confident of us scoring from an opposition corner than the opposition themselves

It's unbelievable how far ahead Robbo is ahead of Moreno.

Makes you wonder how it took so long for him to get a game.

Super pumped still. BOOM!

Dealt with the first 10 minutes of pressure from Porto then we really took over. Again like the last game got a break with the goalkeeping error on 1st goal but unlike the weekend we really built off it and show ruthlessness throughout the whole game. Great to see Mane break through with few goals as the past few game was having a tough time finishing. Milner I thought too was very good at breaking up plays in the middle and offering more attacking ability then he tends to. It is really the best outcome we could of wished for.

Great thing with such a big advantage and looking at the fixture list Klopp can rest some key players if needed before our trip to Old Trafford on the weekend.

Dealt with the first 10 minutes of pressure from Porto then we really took over. Again like the last game got a break with the goalkeeping error on 1st goal but unlike the weekend we really built off it and show ruthlessness throughout the whole game. Great to see Mane break through with few goals as the past few game was having a tough time finishing. Milner I thought too was very good at breaking up plays in the middle and offering more attacking ability then he tends to. It is really the best outcome we could of wished for.

Great thing with such a big advantage and looking at the fixture list Klopp can rest some key players if needed before our trip to Old Trafford on the weekend.

Agree Adam, It does annoy me about Milner how he played really well, as you say, breaking it up in midfield, putting in some bite and setting up assists, running about like he's just been fitted with a fresh Duracell battery and then he goes missing in a Premier league game.

Andrew Robertson's the new Duracell anyway !

Brilliant all around the park well done Jürgen and the boys!

Based on that performance tonight, would any of you doubt we could go on and win Big Ears for the sixth time?

City,United,Chelsea,Spurs...we could get past any of them, and we might have to. Real or Barca..mmm....if we're going to honest and look at it realistically...I mean yes we are not some 33/1 outsiders and we are in fact about 10/1 with most bookies which is about our mark.

Oh my god. I've probably never been more wet my whole life, as Porto decided to do a nice display of Liverpool weather and I was in third row, so no roof above my head.

What a match though. So much fun to watch. The scary thing is that I don't even think we played our best, we're capable of better. But even so we simply destroyed a very capable Porto side. Incredible.

Everyone played well, which is just so satisfying. I would highlight a couple of them though.

VVD - what a player. The man is a F***ing giant and is such a leader. Being so close to the pitch I could pay attention to him and even hear him shouting to his teammates all the time. He's constantly telling the rest of the defense what to do, where to go, where to pass to, and so on. Looks like he's been at the club forever, not someone who's just arrived. He's such a boss.

The other one I'd highlight is Gini Wijnaldum. I always had a soft spot for the man but I think he had been much better last season. Tonight though, he was back to his best, both going forward and winning the ball back.

Sadio Mané. I adore the player and think he may be the most naturally talented player we have. Really excited to see him getting back to his best form. That third goal was a thing of beauty, I couldnt stop myself from shouting even though I was surrounded by Porto fans!

Couldn't give him man of the match so a special shout out to Andy Robertson - did not look like his first European game!

He keeps serving in these fantastic crosses. One of these days someone will get on the end of one and score!

Must also admit, the ref did a great job today, letting the plays flow and not giving away needless cards. Such a refreshing from those FA refs.

And not letting cynical methods keep skill from winning out. Agreed.

Moreno has no football brain.
Make no mistake, Robertson is an athlete, you'd have to be to run that much, but his positioning is greatly needed.

That's his problem. In terms of raw talent, Moreno's has a lot of great qualities but Robertson is more predictable, and that predictability breeds stability in the defence. It always felt like we were a man down when Moreno played. It'll be interesting once Clyne is back because will he be used as cover for Robertson and Moreno moved on I wonder? That would give us options of a more defensive and more attacking variants to choose from on both sides which brings a lot of flexibility to the squad.

If Salah was offside when the James took his shot, would his goal have stood? It came off the post. Does the post vindicate one from being offside?

He was onside, but, no, the ball hitting the post doesn't negate offside.

What a result! More than the 5 goals, I am over the moon about the clean sheet. If City can do it, we can go one step further.

Well in red men.

This feeling should last about 10 days, but I do wish the break wasn't so long.

Definitely re-watching this one a few times.

This feeling should last about 10 days, but I do wish the break wasn't so long.

Definitely re-watching this one a few times.

I agree but for the sake of the players in the long run it will do us good. It feels like it's been non stop since before Christmas and as good as these runs are for momentum to keep the players in peak condition for as long as possible makes these breaks very welcome in my opinion!