Holy sh*t! I did NOT expect that. Was thinking all day, even 10 minutes into the game, this would be tight and would take a 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 type scoreline. The slow paced start suited us just perfectly. I don't know what it was like in the ground but it quickly became apparent that we had a subdued crowd in front of us and we just seemed to slip comfortably into the match like you slip into a nice pair of warm comfy slippers on a cold winters night. Porto were clearly expecting far more openings from us in defence but the mistakes that seemed to litter our matches in the group stages weren't forthcoming from them. They looked stumped all evening and by the end they looked like they had given up. They completely submitted to us. A lot of 8 and 9/10 from our players tonight but I won't apologise for that because at the end of the day it's not every day you win 5-0 away to a highly respected club on your travels in Europe. The temptation by some will be to denigrate Porto rather than praise us but why? I know it's been the tendency of newspaper reports and fellow supporters to focus on teh failings of the opposition but for ONCE why don't we look at the brilliance of us? No one out there predicted 5-0 so don't try to be wise after the event and say 'yeah but they're a poor side'.
Karius - 7/10. No dramas. Comfortable catching, coming off his line, Lovren and VVD comfortable in communication with him. All good for him lately. Never had to make a serious save all game which is testament to the confidence of all the players ahead of him. Third clean sheet in the last two weeks for him. Displays a level of ability and confidence that Mignolet has never ever had. More importantly he's showing a desire to develop an understanding with the men in front of him unlike the other one.
Robertson - 9/10. Can't recall him putting a foot wrong. Stayed tight to his man all evening, was confident drifting inside because he trusted Mane to do a defensive job when chasing back up the wing. Made numerous gut busting lungs forward in support of the attack. I never knew he was going to be this good and if we could clone him so another Robbo is on standby then that would be ideal!
Lovren - 8/10. Excellent. Didn't put a foot wrong all evening and it's a tight contest between him and VVD as to who was the better of the pair. Absolutely disastrous in the first half of the season but with VVD brought in he probably deserves the chance to prove himself (again). The initial signs seem to suggest that he's found his match in Virgil.
VVD - 8/10. Stepped out, headed out, leapt up, swept up. Aggressive and always prepared to take the initiative. Again early days but he shines a level of ability that only Hyypia and Carragher had before him. Seems to be developing an understanding with Karius as well and his communication and refusal to quieten down as the score got higher is indicative that this is a man with seriously high standards!
TAA - 8/10. Another solid display. Seemed that he was being targeted by Porto early on with numerous phases of play taking place in his zone in the early stages. Dealt with everything so well and timed his tackles to perfection. Kept his pacey opponent to the byline. Always willing to participate higher up. Only 19, is playing in the CL knockout rounds - something Steven Gerrard never did at his age. He'll only get better!
Henderson - 6/10. Not great off the ball as he left a lot of space in the middle of the park but on the ball he was fine. Seemed to get the right balance between playing it safe and knowing when to play it forward so that's definitely encouraging. A wee bit slow but still getting up to full match fitness and with his injury issues in recent seasons it's only right they take it easy with him because we'll need him for the business end of the season.
Milner - 8/10. Superb, especially in the first half. Hitting the post was unlucky after a brilliant piece of play but thankfully Salah was there...with a bit of extra skill to spare! Got into Porto's faces, burst through at any opportunity, wasn't afraid to stick a foot in. Industrious and productive!
Gini - 8/10. Maybe one of his best, if not his best, away display in a Liverpool shirt. Seemed to be everywhere and his play to slide it out to Mane for the first goal was vital. I've been critical of him recently but he revelled along with Milner in getting in the Porto faces. Looked supremely fit as well.
Salah - 9/10. Everything he did was pretty much perfect. That goal was almost taking the piss in it's coolness but his running and his unselfishness to lay it off to his team mates is what makes him so much more than the 30 goal player his is right now. No one, not even Salah's biggest fans, would have predicted just how incredible he has been for us. That 35 million spent looks like a right steal.
Mane - 10/10. Utterly superb. With each goal scored he got better and better and better to the point where he was dictating everything around him after the second goal. That finish for the third was so emphatic - so darned emblematic of our play. To see the confidence and aggression return to him was a wonderful sight to behold.
Firmino - 9/10. Another superb game. He's the life force of our attack and his touch and ability in and around the box is the stuff of wizardry at times. How amazing, how much more stunning a player he is now than he was at this point two years ago. It's hard to believe that he came into this team under Rodgers and was punted out onto the wing for the first few months of his Liverpool career. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that he is to Klopp's Liverpool as to what someone like Bergkamp was to Wenger's great Arsenal side from 15-20 years ago. He just continues to ascend to a higher level seemingly every game!
Klopp - 10/10. Remember a few seasons ago we were getting knocked out in the first knockout rounds of the EUROPA LEAGUE to Zenit and F***ing Braga? None of that sh*t will be tolerated under Klopp. He seemed relaxed pre match. Too relaxed. No wonder. His confidence in his team and his coaching ability alone allows for such pleasures. Anyone who does not respect the job this man is doing can go and F**k off and support Man Utd or some other club that allows for part time, casual ignorant fandom.
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