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

A thoroughly professional away job so far.

Was very frustrated with our midfield before the goal, but since we scored, Porto seem to have given up. It's weird because when they actually play , they cut us apart easily. Also noticed they are playing more reserved instead of their natural game which is pressing.

Thought we were average for 15-20 minutes, losing 50-50's, not winning second balls and generally taking a while to start playing. After the first goal though we dominated the game and could be further ahead.

We do need to watch that space in front of our back four, a couple of times we've either had knock downs from our defenders or their attackers go into space or to a Porto player, and they've passed through us one or two times there as well.

Good half overall, started a bit unsteady, two decent goals, got opened up once or twice but the defence was up to it. Just doing what there’re supposed to.
Need to keep pressing second half and not let them come on to us. They capable of some decent footy if we give them room. We can’t sfford to tire after 60 and we don’t want to go defensive with subs.
Can’t wait for Hendo to come on .....

Errr, Oh.

Very good half. Lovren looks very good as does Firmino and Mo.

Gini ended well, Milner has been good but Hendo not at the races.

Mane is pissing me right off but he keeps scoring despite his form so can’t complain too much

Outstanding half.

Defensively solid. Taken our chances. Plenty of good performers.

Ironically, I think Mane has been our most wasteful with some really poor decisions or quality on the ball and Hendo has been a passenger - with and without the ball.

Our whole backline have been magnificent.

Yep, I agree with this. I am impressed with TAA too, he looks to be our most creative and looking to pass in behind.

Now remember the Sevilla game lads.

See this F***ing out professionally!

Can't quite believe how easy that half seems to have been.  They can't be that poor 2nd half can they?
Really solid control needed now like we showed v Huddersfield (I know, these aren't Huddersfield!) just hope our midfield can keep hold of it and keep feeding the attack.  Well in lads.

Van Dijk is turning out to be the player we hoped he would be. He brings a calmness to our back four that we haven’t had since Carra or Hypia. Robertson is No 1 left back from now on no doubt.

Wijnaldum is everywhere tonight

Agree he has been really good tonight.

Now remember the Sevilla game lads.

See this f**king out professionally!

Don't want to tw*t them that much as I'm going the 2nd leg with my lad.

Easy now.

Gini and Milner have been excellent in midfield. Henderson hasn't. Such a mass gulf at times when Lovren and VVD (who have been excellent so far) head down into an absent midfield. Being the deeper midfielder that should be Hendo ready to scoop up. It seems he's totally misjudging where the ball will land by 20 to 30 yards at times.

Even in that late attack we get loads of men forward - it pops up in the air and Firmino heads it down expecting Hendo to recycle it...but he's nowhere and we give possession back to Porto and not long after that the Porto striker shaves it wide for what should have been 2-1.

On the ball Hendo seems fine - seems to have a good balance between safe and productive passes. But positionally our captain has really not been that good.

They parked the bus until the first goal. Just tried to stop us play, and they did it pretty well. Wasn't great game.
But then Mane nicks a goal, and Mo pops up with a 2nd, and its a different game.
Lads are doing a professional job, looking sharp up front, and tight at the back.
Would be great now to keep it tight again in 2nd half, and ideally come away with a clean sheet.
Long way to go, just don't want a repeat of Sevilla. Hopefully our back 5 have come on since then.
Keep it up lads!!

Professional so far.

Mate it’s extraordinary that he managed to take 4 touches so close to their goal. It was hard for him to get the ball under control and it was such tight conditions. Great piece of play.

Dip him in gold!!

Agree he has been really good tonight.

Yea, Gini pick of the middle lads so far imho

Was very frustrated with our midfield before the goal, but since we scored, Porto seem to have given up. It's weird because when they actually play , they cut us apart easily. Also noticed they are playing more reserved instead of their natural game which is pressing.

Haha they are scared of being carved open but they are going to have to come out in the second half.

I am sure Coutinho is watching this, he can look forward to playing the mighty Eibar at the weekend.

A thoroughly professional away job so far.

Yup, nothing spectacular, Klopp set up the way we wanted to play and his game plan is so far working.

Lovren & VVD excellent so far, kudos to Gini & Milner for good displays in midfield

Gini and Milner have been excellent in midfield. Henderson hasn't. Such a mass gulf at times when Lovren and VVD (who have been excellent so far) head down into an absent midfield. Being the deeper midfielder that should be Hendo ready to scoop up. It seems he's totally misjudging where the ball will land by 20 to 30 yards at times.

Even in that late attack we get loads of men forward - it pops up in the air and Firmino heads it down expecting Hendo to recycle it...but he's nowhere and we give possession back to Porto and not long after that the Porto striker shaves it wide for what should have been 2-1.

On the ball Hendo seems fine - seems to have a good balance between safe and productive passes. But positionally our captain has really not been that good.

He seems really slow, lack of match sharpness or the culmination of injuries catching up on him?

Liverpool look so confident since dropping Mignolet.

Lads are doing just great, but important to remember sevilla.

Compact and counter second half

Ox or Lallana for Hendo anyone ?