Pre-Match: Porto V Liverpool (14/02/18 - 19:45) Rnd of 16 Leg 1

Feels like an age since we were in the latter stages of the Champions League and I cannot wait for this! We have had some memorable nights in Europe with Klopp and I expect more big nights this year and the years ahead under his guidance.

Girls and boys. Sit back and enjoy and forget about Valentines. Only one bird on my mind Wednesday and its on our crest! 

Lovren for Matip, Lallana for Milner from the side you’ve gone with. Depends on Adam’s fitness, of course.

Pumped for this. Nerves will ramp up pre-kick off no doubt. 

Good to be back on the big stage!

Narrow win I think.

All about keeping a clean sheet and coming away with a win.
Don’t care how unattractive our performance may well be. Just need to keep things solid and put in a professional and controlled display.
Going for a 1-0
 

All about keeping a clean sheet and coming away with a win.
Don’t care how unattractive our performance may well be. Just need to keep things solid and put in a professional and controlled display.
Going for a 1-0

Would love to score a couple of away goals, even if we concede. At home is where the clean sheet will be the priority. Hoping the midfield can step up, gain enough possession to serve our front three with a decent # of chances. If they do, I'm confident we will score away goals and get into the driver's seat.
.

None of this getting 10 pts to qualify sh*t now. Its "proper" 2 leg european football - which is our DNA

Defensively solid, nick a goal or two.

None of this getting 10 pts to qualify sh*t now. Its "proper" 2 leg european football - which is our DNA

Defensively solid, nick a goal or two.

That sounds like Liverpool 04-09.

That id definitely not this team! Porto 5-6 Liverpool more like!

Champions league knockout stage
Some of the best games I've had watching footy have been CL nights.
Can't wait to get back to it ...

Think the outcome of this is down to Porto, if they attack we will surely get goals on our counter.  If they sit back, which i doubt, i would take a draw, preferably a score draw back to Anfield.

CMON you REDMEN

Can suspended, Henderson and Milner both 'rested' against Southampton so that's them two in.  Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought off earliest yesterday but I would have thought that was down to him being poor rather than being saved for this game.

Big decisions we will be looking out for have to be the keeper choice, whether he brings Lovren back in for Matip, and that midfield three which I'd guess at being Henderson, Milner and Wijnaldum.

Can suspended, Henderson and Milner both 'rested' against Southampton so that's them two in.  Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought off earliest yesterday but I would have thought that was down to him being poor rather than being saved for this game.

Big decisions we will be looking out for have to be the keeper choice, whether he brings Lovren back in for Matip, and that midfield three which I'd guess at being Henderson, Milner and Wijnaldum.

Yea, reckon it'll be that midfield. Guessing at the XI..

             Karius
TAA Lovren VVD Roberson
    Milner Hendo Gini
   Salah Firmino Mane

Bringing back Migs would be a head scratcher, for a few reasons.
Don't think Matip is nailed down as the 1st choice VVD partner yet, seems Lovren will come back in.  But you never know.
Need Hendo to play well, he has done recently imho, need him to do it again, and ideally last longer.
With the front 3, we have hope we can score against anyone.
Not sure if there's any chance of Gomez being back, but TAA has done well on coming in.

No way Migs is back in for this, or for my money, the rest of the season. He's the backup the rest of the way and he's off in the summer. That's it.

Not so sure Oxlaide-Chamberlain won't be in the starting XI, however. I expect him over Milner.

It's been so long since i cared about this stage that i forgot they do 4 games this week 4 next week sh*te.Anyways no clue how Porto play or how good their league is so we'll batter them 1-3.

About damn time.

Hendo, Milner, Gini (which I'm a little concerned about to be perfectly honest) and otherwise I'd keep the same lineup everywhere else.

These are the games when we will be put under the cosh. Lets see if £75m has been well spent. I will be looking for a big game from VVD. Command the defense,be quick and take control if they go aerial. Robbo will have to sharp on the back foot. we know he's good going forward but he has to defend to a high standard in the C/L.

Good test for our defense, a clean sheet will be a boost.

Let’s just hope they don’t play like Sevilla in that second half!! F**k me ive never seen us get so battered by a team in my life.

Big VVD to get a winner! Can’t wait.

Let’s just hope they don’t play like Sevilla in that second half!! F**k me ive never seen us get so battered by a team in my life.

Big VVD to get a winner! Can’t wait.

That really was atrocious.

I think getting a couple away goals we be huge for us going back to Anfield given our history of leaking goals but I think we can play to our ability we should be good to through but it is going to be tough but I am glad to see knockout football back. I think your going to see Ox starting with Gini/Hendo to add more pace on the counter. I know I i will be looking forward to the match.

That really was atrocious.

50 mins of pure annihilation. We couldn’t touch the ball.

I think getting a couple away goals we be huge for us going back to Anfield given our history of leaking goals but I think we can play to our ability we should be good to through but it is going to be tough but I am glad to see knockout football back. I think your going to see Ox starting with Gini/Hendo to add more pace on the counter. I know I i will be looking forward to the match.

Think it will be Milner in for Can. We will need to play much better in midfield than we have done lately. A decent second half against Soton doesn't count. Much more discipline and covering, pressing/closing down will be needed. Playing passes to the man with more accuracy. Sharper all round.

Their unbeaten on their home ground this Season, time to put a stop to that sh*t.

50 mins of pure annihilation. We couldn’t touch the ball.

Moreno got roasted for the second time by Sevilla.

Their unbeaten on their home ground this Season, time to put a stop to that sh*t.

They haven’t faced an Egyptian King.

Their They're ...unbeaten on their home ground this Season, time to put a stop to that sh*t.

A Pom fix that Oz.

       

Moreno got roasted for the second time by Sevilla.

He was bad but so was practically everyone that night. 3-0 at half time and got spanked second half.

Hopefully we’re over that sh*t now, Southampton game felt like we turned a corner even though they were utter crap.

Thank God Klopp has finally realised.

https://twitter.com/guardian_sport/status/963179111295410176

NB: Team no longer available

Thank God Klopp has finally realised.

https://twitter.com/guardian_sport/status/963179111295410176

My preference is Mignolet over Karius, but not right now, and not because I'm wrong..

Karius has played well enough in his games, and there is just no reason to swap and change now. It was bad enough before with Mignolet playing, then Karius... but would be even more ridiculous to swap that around now. It's clear that Mignolet is going to be kicked out by Klopp, so what is the point in including him now? Klopp has already made the choice and so he has to stick by it.

Putting Mignolet in now would only disrupt things. Hopefully Karius will continue to play well and improve further.

A Pom fix that Oz.

       

Thanks Bud, was typing quickly as at work and Boss was floating around. Cheers.

Porto are notoriously poor on the road against English sides. A draw here and we would be long odds on to progress.

I do think we can win though. There defence can be got at, and we must remember Besiktas won 3-1 here in the Group stage. We are a better side than Besiktas, Porto should be wary of us.

TAA and Robertson need to be more deeper, don't want them going walkabouts on the halfway line in the Dragao. They are the only thing that worry me about this match aswell as the obvs (Karius).

If I was manager I'd do anything to avoid playing TAA. He isn't ready for this kind of match. I believe Gomez is injured, so F**k it stick Milner there. Probably more defensively solid.

                             Karius
Milner           VVD         Matip         Robertson

               Ox        Henderson    Can

Salah                                                      Mane
                     
                               Firmino

I’m thinking we could nick this by the odd goal, although s score draw would be decent.
Knowing us, we’ll lose 2.0, go s goal down in the return, need to score 4 and get it with a VVD header in the last minute 😳
Never do things the easy way do we 😁
Otherwise, 2:0 to the red men 😁

NB: Team no longer available

1or2-0 for us would be perfect.
Brilliant that big Virgil can play , clean sheet first and foremost

1or2-0 for us would be perfect.
Brilliant that big Virgil can play , clean sheet first and foremost

Not a clean sheet but an away goal. Would prefer 1-1 rather 0-0 but a win is a must for no added pressure for the second leg.

You know us mate probably do it the hard way as usual

Not a clean sheet but an away goal. Would prefer 1-1 rather 0-0 but a win is a must for no added pressure for the second leg.

As you say I'd much prefer a score draw if not the win,I know it is the first leg but I've never underestimated
The importance of an away goal.

As you say I'd much prefer a score draw if not the win,I know it is the first leg but I've never underestimated
The importance of an away goal.

Away goal is vital, if we get as many as we can, it would be wonderful.

I'll be there tomorrow (among Porto fans, but I'll be there!)

Head is saying 1-1 which wouldn’t be the worst result but I hope my heads wrong and we win with a clean sheet.

I can sort of understand why some of you are airing on the side of caution but my thoughts are are more of lets f***in get at them from the first peep of the ref's whistle and see what their made of,
If they have anything about them they'll put up some sort of resistance in the hope of breaching our defence...and that ladies & gentle persons plays straight into our hands...if we were to play a more reserved approach that could encourage them to sit back hope for a draw perhaps nick it 1-0 and then park their bus at Anfield and maybe nick a away goal,

I much prefer us controlling from the start , put them to the sword and virtually kill off the tie making the home leg a dead rubber,

                           Karius
       Trent Lovren Van Dijk Robertson
                       Henderson
              Milner                Wijnaldom
            Salah      Firmino     Mane

Bench;  Ward, Matip, Ox, Lallana, Moreno, Ings, Solanke

Karius to retain his place, dont want Migs anywhere near the 1st team he's had his chances so F**k him he's done for me, Lovren in for Joel, neither are ideal but got to keep them keen, Can being in suspenders allows Wijnaldom a start, i believe Jürgen would have chosen Jimmy anyway for his experience, Mo, Bobby & Sadio are shoe ins,

Go at them from the off, 2-3 up by HT and its game over, they will crumble into the Porto turf.

0-3 Mighty Reds


YNWA

I'll be there tomorrow (among Porto fans, but I'll be there!)

Are you practicing your self control exercises for when we score?

Be safe.

Hopefully a Valentine's Day Massacre.

1-3.

Another dive by the golden boy, Harry Kane, against Juventus. That full team is absolutely rife with scumbaggery.

Another dive by the golden boy, Harry Kane, against Juventus. That full team is absolutely rife with scumbaggery.

Pochettino must take the blame for this. He said it's about tricking people...lets hope Juve can finish them off 2-0 up at the minute...3-0 might be enough.

I'm going for 1-2, come on you reds

I'll be there tomorrow (among Porto fans, but I'll be there!)

We'll deffo score if you're there then mate! Take care fella.

Think we need to show some class tomorrow. Bag a few away goals and concentrate at the back.

Keeper?

We'll deffo score if you're there then mate! Take care fella.

Think we need to show some class tomorrow. Bag a few away goals and concentrate at the back.

Keeper?

Klopp already said it's Karius

Klopp already said it's Karius

Good stuff. Well, as in no more rotation..

Porto are a forward looking attacking team playing at home. Will play perfectly into our hands. Mane to have a cracker.
1-4

I'll be there tomorrow (among Porto fans, but I'll be there!)

I'll be there as well, also among Porto fans!
Anyone knows where will be the meeting point for Liverpool fans before the match?

Who wants to bet Klopp goes with Moreno? Robbo had a a below average game so Klopp will go back to his boy toy Berty. Damn I hope I’m wrong, but I’m fairly confident that Moreno plays. Sickening thought 

Klopp doesn’t know how to let a defense be. Sometimes less is more. These guys need to play together

It’s been said so many times before......... MANE !
Form is temporary,
Class is permanent,

He’s about to come good again !

Couple of games done with tonight.
We're up next!!!!!!!!! whoop-whoop
Only one more sleep ...

The Divers drew 2-2...we have to do better than them. I mean generally over the years I hated all London teams, Man U obviously...Everton..Nah ..just pitied them mostly.

But for now Spurs are the most hated and although Pochettino might not get to the level of contempt I had for Fergie, he's getting there.

Do Porto and we might be lucky enough to draw the divers..

n.b. When I say hatred I obviously mean footie hatred..

Head is saying 1-1 which wouldn’t be the worst result but I hope my heads wrong and we win with a clean sheet.

I can sort of understand why some of you are airing on the side of caution but my thoughts are are more of lets f***in get at them from the first peep of the ref's whistle and see what their made of,
If they have anything about them they'll put up some sort of resistance in the hope of breaching our defence...and that ladies & gentle persons plays straight into our hands...if we were to play a more reserved approach that could encourage them to sit back hope for a draw perhaps nick it 1-0 and then park their bus at Anfield and maybe nick a away goal,

I much prefer us controlling from the start , put them to the sword and virtually kill off the tie making the home leg a dead rubber,

                           Karius
       Trent Lovren Van Dijk Robertson
                       Henderson
              Milner                Wijnaldom
            Salah      Firmino     Mane

Bench;  Ward, Matip, Ox, Lallana, Moreno, Ings, Solanke

Karius to retain his place, dont want Migs anywhere near the 1st team he's had his chances so f**k him he's done for me, Lovren in for Joel, neither are ideal but got to keep them keen, Can being in suspenders allows Wijnaldom a start, i believe Jürgen would have chosen Jimmy anyway for his experience, Mo, Bobby & Sadio are shoe ins,

Go at them from the off, 2-3 up by HT and its game over, they will crumble into the Porto turf.

0-3 Mighty Reds


YNWA

Agree.

I'm going for a shock and awe first half from the lads .

A smash and grab 0-2 result to bring back to Anfield for more of the same. 

I see Clyne is back with the squad as is Gomez. I would not be surprised if they opted for Milner at right back instead of TAA. Portuguese teams tend to attack down the flanks with good wingers. If we want to keep it tight he might go defensive there. Or he might just provide cover in the shape of Milner in midfield. In any case its something to think about. The other worry is crosses in and hopefully VVD will help with this. We score a lot though so hopefully an away goal or two will put us in the box seat.

No way Migs is back in for this, or for my money, the rest of the season. He's the backup the rest of the way and he's off in the summer. That's it.

Not so sure Oxlaide-Chamberlain won't be in the starting XI, however. I expect him over Milner.

If Migs and Lovren somehow magically reappear in the starting lineup, I’ll be fuming!!

There’s 2 players that should definitely be sold in the summer.
I’m never relaxed watching a game with them 2 in it.
Heart attack territory.

Would be great to get a result.
I haven’t seen Porto all year. Have any of you seen them in the CL this campaign?

How will their defence stack up against our marauding wizards and which players should we pay close attention to up the other end?

The Divers drew 2-2...we have to do better than them. I mean generally over the years I hated all London teams, Man U obviously...Everton..Nah ..just pitied them mostly.

But for now Spurs are the most hated and although Pochettino might not get to the level of contempt I had for Fergie, he's getting there.

Do Porto and we might be lucky enough to draw the divers..

n.b. When I say hatred I obviously mean footie hatred..

Gee, how great would it be to draw them, if we get past this mob?

I’d love to get some rapid revenge on the cheats.

The build up to that tie would be fever pitch! Klopp would really amp it up during the whole week of buildup, focusing on the whole world knowing what antics to look out for.
The ref who lands that, would have to be up to the task cos at Anfield, the noise would be phenomenal on every call.

However, not jumping the gun. A result would be great tonight.

Who wants to bet Klopp goes with Moreno? Robbo had a a below average game so Klopp will go back to his boy toy Berty. Damn I hope I’m wrong, but I’m fairly confident that Moreno plays. Sickening thought 

Klopp doesn’t know how to let a defense be. Sometimes less is more. These guys need to play together

No chance of that, I reckon.

Robertson wasn’t terrible and 1 game surely won’t dictate such a knee jerk reaction.
Andy has been fantastic as of late and fully deserves his place in the starting lineup.

I am looking forward to this match and expect our REDS to come back to Anfield with a win.Go at Porto from the kick off and don't let them know what has hit them.

I'm torn between draw and win... It's going to be a close game with some twists and turns I'd imagine.

I'm torn between draw and win...

Ribzeus, please decide and grant us mortals the boon

I'm going to miss most of this game, flying back from Poland on a stupidly late flight, but I should be able to watch a bit of the start so shock and awe start please, ala Juve yesterday but without then conceding the goals.

I fancy us to at least draw this game

Pretty confident for this one, fancy us 3-1 winners tonight..

I think we'll keep a clean sheet. My biggest gripe is that I'll miss the game and have to watch it recorded (if it's broadcast here in the states that is). The waiting will be agony. I'll have to go into phone silence so I don't catch the score.

Gee, how great would it be to draw them, if we get past this mob?

I’d love to get some rapid revenge on the cheats.

The build up to that tie would be fever pitch! Klopp would really amp it up during the whole week of buildup, focusing on the whole world knowing what antics to look out for.
The ref who lands that, would have to be up to the task cos at Anfield, the noise would be phenomenal on every call.

However, not jumping the gun. A result would be great tonight.

Spurs would be good, but my first choice is Barcelona. We would bury them (make them suffer, as Bobby says).

But as you say, first things first.

Just watched a Porto match from earlier in the season. My prediction for tonight. Fouls. Lots of 'em.

Whether whistle tweets and free kicks are the result, we will see. Anyone know who the ref is?

When Klopp said in the presser that this team is physical, he wasn't kidding. Be careful out there boys.

Think we shouldn't under-estimate these. They have plenty of goals in them and have had some decent results in Europe this season, but also show signs of a weak defence that can be exploited. Unbeaten at home domestically but have lost there in Europe. We also shouldn't forget that I don't think the Liverpool forwards will get as much respect as they deserve in Europe, certainly not this round anyways.

We'll probably play a similar team to the one away at Maribor - one we thought was devoid of creativity - but certainly wasn't.
Milner, Hendo & Gini in midfield and the 3 boys up front. Lovren will probably play too after not playing Southampton.

Would take a score draw, but think we might nick this 2-1.

Champions League knockout stage, F***ing love it. Glad to be back in it and can't wait for tonight.
 

Champions League knockout stage, f**king love it. Glad to be back in it and can't wait for tonight.
 

Almost a decade since our last knockout out stage participation...criminal that for a rich club like ours..

I think we'll keep a clean sheet. My biggest gripe is that I'll miss the game and have to watch it recorded (if it's broadcast here in the states that is). The waiting will be agony. I'll have to go into phone silence so I don't catch the score.

I always do that for midweek games as well. I think it is on FS1 or FS2.

Maybe a narrow 2  1 win, for the Reds. That's what I am going for in the Prediction league. Which amazingly I am sitting on top spot, which will not last for long !

I always do that for midweek games as well. I think it is on FS1 or FS2.

Yea, I checked it's on  FS2. I think I get that channel. Still going to be tough to not just check the updates here

Just watched a Porto match from earlier in the season. My prediction for tonight. Fouls. Lots of 'em.

Whether whistle tweets and free kicks are the result, we will see. Anyone know who the ref is?

When Klopp said in the presser that this team is physical, he wasn't kidding. Be careful out there boys.

That doesn't suit us. We don't really have an enforcer out there and our guys definitely don't like to be bullied on the ball. Hope the refs keep things in check.

I think we'll keep a clean sheet. My biggest gripe is that I'll miss the game and have to watch it recorded (if it's broadcast here in the states that is). The waiting will be agony. I'll have to go into phone silence so I don't catch the score.

It’s on Fox Soccer 2

That doesn't suit us. We don't really have an enforcer out there and our guys definitely don't like to be bullied on the ball. Hope the refs keep things in check.

What are you on about?

We have Mascherano, Alonso and Sissoko???

Just watched a Porto match from earlier in the season. My prediction for tonight. Fouls. Lots of 'em.

Whether whistle tweets and free kicks are the result, we will see. Anyone know who the ref is?

When Klopp said in the presser that this team is physical, he wasn't kidding. Be careful out there boys.

Jürgen will have briefed his player's accordingly, it's the ref who will determine affairs on the pitch,
and we all know how these foreign refs love to get one over British sides in Europe in particular those who play in red and have a wee birdie on their chest,
I can imagine i may have to offer a apology to my neighbours in advance laters, for my slightly over exuberant language 😁

YNWA

Almost a decade since our last knockout out stage participation...criminal that for a rich club like ours..

 

Ah yes,the good ole days!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M06wC1294Es

Would like a clean sheet, but think we're gonna win 3-1.

Up the reds.

Apparently pitch inspection at 6

Apparently pitch inspection at 6

https://twitter.com/JamesPearceEcho/status/963826062550536202

hmmm, I was told by a friend that Porto are a very attacking team, but also likes to press and the team are littered with very good footballers. If this is true, our midfield will be in for another battle.