Pre-Match: Porto V Liverpool (17/04/19 - 20:00)

This is the team I think we are likely to see but Klopp might be tempted to bring in Origi for one of the front three which I woudlnt be totally against either given our strong position.

It is probably a game too early for Joe Gomez to start but I would like to see him on to mind Trent at right back on the hour if possible.

A professional job and then we go again in the league. 0-2 Reds again!! 

Hendo starts every match till the end of the season for me now.

Just a case of being professional and efficient now, patient game and wait for a gap to exploit. Sooner or later they are going to have to try and go all out in the game and when they do, make sure we take advantage. Expect Gini and Milner will come into the team, probably at the expense of Keita and then obviously one of the other two which then hopefully means we go back to Fab, Hendo and Keita at the weekend.

Defence will probably be the same as the first leg but with Robbo at LB. Front 3 picks itself but I wouldn't be shocked to see a couple of them taken off for Origi and Shaqiri at some stage.

Another clean sheet hopefully, make it 3 on the bounce.

Perfect position going into this 2nd leg, it should be a formality so let's hope we make sure that's the case.

Alisson

Alexander-Arnold
Lovren
Van Dijk
Robertson

Milner (c)
Fabinho
Wijnaldum

Salah
Firmino
Mane

Subs:

Mignolet
Gomez
Henderson
Keita
Shaqiri
Origi
Sturridge

0-1 to us - Mane ⚽️👍🏼

Just a case of being professional and efficient now, patient game and wait for a gap to exploit. Sooner or later they are going to have to try and go all out in the game and when they do, make sure we take advantage. Expect Gini and Milner will come into the team, probably at the expense of Keita and then obviously one of the other two which then hopefully means we go back to Fab, Hendo and Keita at the weekend.

Defence will probably be the same as the first leg but with Robbo at LB. Front 3 picks itself but I wouldn't be shocked to see a couple of them taken off for Origi and Shaqiri at some stage.

Another clean sheet hopefully, make it 3 on the bounce.

Perfect position going into this 2nd leg, it should be a formality so let's hope we make sure that's the case.

I hope so mate, hit them hard and fast! Couple of early goals and it should be a formality!

I hope so mate, hit them hard and fast! Couple of early goals and it should be a formality!

If we get a couple of early goals (IT Will BE A FORMALITY).no doubt about it.There is no way that Porto will score 5.

Alisson

Alexander-Arnold
Lovren
Van Dijk
Robertson

Milner (c)
Fabinho
Wijnaldum

Salah
Firmino
Mane

Subs:

Mignolet
Gomez
Henderson
Keita
Shaqiri
Origi
Sturridge

0-1 to us - Mane ⚽️👍🏼

Would like two early goals, leave them wanting 6, curies control the rest of the night, give Shaqiri,Origi and Sturrigde 60 mins plus and the front there and early bath

Hendo starts every match till the end of the season for me now.

Has a good shout for it

I'd rotate a little bit for this game, perhaps start Origi and even Shaq and have a bit more grit in midfield so Fab, Gini and Hendo/Milner. If need be we can crank up the heavy metal but I think we'll nick a goal and put it to bed.

I personally wouldn’t rotate for this one. This is massive, champions league quarter finals!!

Just the last few games, we’ve seemed vulnerable to a smart through ball, or balls over the top to runners from deep. Happened v Porto and Chavs.
We really need to sort that out, holding a high line and not being alert enough to spot the runs.
Probably need to hold the back line a bit deeper to counter that.
Porto have a few speedy players, need to be careful there.
As a Hendo critic, I have to say he’s been a revelation of late. Has to start tonight, and I think with Gini and Millie. We need to hold that midfield and possibly serve the strikers with slightly longer balls so we don’t get caught out too far upfield. Front three are on fire again and the back four and keeper is nailed on.
I’m sure we’ll go through but i don’t think it will be as easy as some are stating. I rekon we’ll get s 2:1 win but there’s gonna be some tough moments throughout. These ain’t gonna lay down and will be confident they can get through.
An early goal by us will take the pressure off and hopefully we can manage the game like we have recently.
If they get an early goal, we gonna really be under pressure and have to hope we can keep our nerve and don’t panic.
We have been good in that respect all season, but this is a passage into the C L semis !
Looking forward to it, but a bit nervous as well.

Would like two early goals, leave them wanting 6, curies control the rest of the night, give Shaqiri,Origi and Sturrigde 60 mins plus and the front there and early bath

5 mate, they would need 5 if we are 4-0 up on aggregate!

Hendo starts every match till the end of the season for me now.

Man needs a rest after the running he put in Sunday.

We need him at this level for the rest of the campaign and surely the midfield can cope without him for this!

I'd rotate a little bit for this game, perhaps start Origi and even Shaq and have a bit more grit in midfield so Fab, Gini and Hendo/Milner. If need be we can crank up the heavy metal but I think we'll nick a goal and put it to bed.

A 2-0 advantage can quickly be withered away, so we need to free push that advantage, two or more goals before we consider changes... More players get injured coming into games were team are under pressure than starting game, and Mo, Bobby, or Mane coming on at 2-0 to Porto would be unnecessary pressures... Need to put this to bed quickly and rest players for the next Premier League game

5 mate, they would need 5 if we are 4-0 up on aggregate!

Comprehensive school education, and too many good looking girls there to boot, what can i say...? 

Man needs a rest after the running he put in Sunday.

We need him at this level for the rest of the campaign and surely the midfield can cope without him for this!

Can use Gini v Porto if that's true.

Just get the 1 goal no way way they are scoring 4.

Score the first goal & make them come out then score a few more & put the tie to bed handy.

Comprehensive school education, and too many good looking girls there to boot, what can i say...? 

I never experienced comprehensive schooling but one thing’s for sure, if girls had been present they most certainly would not have been “booted”.

On topic - the early goal will see them fold, really don’t see any upsets.
They have to be committed to overturning the first leg and come out, the lads are well equipped to take advantage.

Man needs a rest after the running he put in Sunday.

We need him at this level for the rest of the campaign and surely the midfield can cope without him for this!

Not sure about that; he's been in & out of the side this season and his fitness is his greatest asset, so think he'll be fine and more importantly, I believe he wants to start every game now.

I believe he wants to start every game now.

He’d have wanted to start every game anyway, every player should want that!

With Hendo, it’s not so much his fitness that is ever an issue but he’s quite susceptible to little injuries that can keep him out for a week or so, that’s the only reason I can see him being rested for this game, to make sure he’s good to go for the weekend. In all honesty, we should be able to change the team a bit for this match and still comfortably go through.

It would be a tough call to drop Hendo he has been brilliant.  I do think you need Fab in there to provide the cover, he is going to be world class.

mark my words.

YNWA

Play your strongest team, no messing around, get the win and move on, that's all that matters. If it's put to bed early and you can rest a couple guys so be it. They have plenty of recovery time for the weekend.

sh*t. I'm not ready for this game, I'm still recovering from the Chelsea game!

Yet ANOTHER massive Champions League game just sneaks up on us! How on earth does that even happen - years gone by I'd be fixated about a game of this magnitude - just shows how far we've progressed, what a wonderful season we are having.

Here's my team:

NB: Team no longer available

Gomez to come back in at right back, feel as though it's a good chance to rest Trent and also a good chance to bring Gomez back into the fold to get him warmed back up nicely.

Lovren to start over Matip as I feel he did very well in the first leg bar a few positional hiccups.

Gini to start as he should be fresh after a bit of time off and brings a great calmness to the team. I was close to picking Keita as he has had a good turn of form of late but we could bring him on later in the game.

Hopefully the game is in the bag by the 60-70th minute and we can start to bring off the front 3 to save their legs.

Come on lads!

NB: Team no longer available

Shaqiri or Origi do not know who to choose.

I would rest Henderson and Firmino for Easter Sunday.

NB: Team no longer available

Shaqiri or Origi do not know who to choose.

I would rest Henderson and Firmino for Easter Sunday.

Lovren hasn’t travelled, ruled out with illness.

Lovren hasn’t travelled, ruled out with illness.

NB: Team no longer available

Shaqiri or Origi do not know who to choose.

I would rest Henderson and Firmino for Easter Sunday.

Lovren is out, he's ill. So Matip or Gomez.  I would play Matip.

Lovren is out, he's ill. So Matip or Gomez.  I would play Matip.

Has Lovern missed more games then he has been eligible to play in?

I never experienced comprehensive schooling but one thing’s for sure, if girls had been present they most certainly would not have been “booted”.

On topic - the early goal will see them fold, really don’t see any upsets.
They have to be committed to overturning the first leg and come out, the lads are well equipped to take advantage.

Just checked were they stand in thier League... On points they are level with Benfica, but second on goal difference...
They may well fold if we score first... Only danger I see is if they play their fringe players and they want to impress could be a hard night for the lads. So two early goals would be nice

A 2-0 advantage can quickly be withered away, so we need to free push that advantage, two or more goals before we consider changes... More players get injured coming into games were team are under pressure than starting game, and Mo, Bobby, or Mane coming on at 2-0 to Porto would be unnecessary pressures... Need to put this to bed quickly and rest players for the next Premier League game

I hear you but I'd still tilt us to be a bit more defensive in this game and I reckon Shaq and Origi could do a job, if we are getting overrun bring on the big guns, but I honestly think we can easily contain them and score on the break.

Agree with the theory, an early goal will kill the tie off. Seem to have one foot in the semi finals, without being over optimistic. Nice to see Mo Salah back in goal scoring form after his stunner against Chelsea.

Get that away goal early, then we can relax.

I hear you but I'd still tilt us to be a bit more defensive in this game and I reckon Shaq and Origi could do a job, if we are getting overrun bring on the big guns, but I honestly think we can easily contain them and score on the break.

I don't like us doing that, players coming into the game because we have not put it to bed over stretching for balls. Rather have them come on with no pressure and no need to over stretch for things... But that's just me 

Get that away goal early, then we can relax.

Get about 5 away goals before half tme then another 5 in the second half then i will relax

Get about 5 away goals before half tme then another 5 in the second half then i will relax

Shaq is not going to start .

Does seem likely Milner and Gini are in the XI.

Front-3 and Back-4 pick themselves.. Since Naby got subbed early on Sunday, going with Naby-Gini-Milner midfield.

Subs: Migs, Gomez, Fabinho, Hendo, Lallana, Shaq, Origi

I'd start Gini on a rotation basis but he tends to underperform badly away from home so IDK.

They'll be coming hard at us so I'm confident we will find a way to score one past 'em, then the game will hopefully be sealed. My only worry is the long balls behind the centerbacks; we've been responding to those pretty poorly as of late. If that fella Marega was anywhere near decent we might not be coming to this game 2-0 up.

Think Lovrens time is up would take 20m now. Think a decent enough back up defender but his fitness and ability to stay fit is poor and with amount of comps to challenge he is simply not viable anymore

NB: Team no longer available

Shaqiri or Origi do not know who to choose.

I would rest Henderson and Firmino for Easter Sunday.

Lovren - surprise surprise- isn't available

The bloke must have the worst immune system in the human race

Has Lovern missed more games then he has been eligible to play in?

This season or since he joined us?

The answer's probably yes to both.

I guess there's a temptation to rest a few but I don't think outside of the midfield we have a squad capable to do that. Resting any of the defence other than Matip or any of the front 3 would make life very difficult for us even at 2-0 up.

I'd err on the route of playing the big hitters and trying to put the game to bed and taking them off from there over putting them on the bench for emergencies.

I'm expecting a tough game as it is and resting key players would make it even tougher. The first goal will be crucial in dictating what sort of evening we're all in for.

Need to replace Lovren he is never fit for more than a couple of games

Lovren - surprise surprise- isn't available

The bloke must have the worst immune system in the human race

Ill?! AGAIN?!

Lovren has two moods; feeling foul or committing them

Just watching messi  taking united apart on his own. Absolutely brilliant to watch.

Just watching messi  taking united apart on his own. Absolutely brilliant to watch.

United have started to run out of steam since their coaching change.

United wee poor. Barca were fantastic just like the gudiola era. Messi was something else every one of them. Couts with a worldy. Hope we can put on a performance tomorrow. Salah back on form. We'll done to ajax too

I thought var were meant to show clear decisions to help the ref. How that wasn't a penalty on raktic in first half. Was caught clearly. Also great see ronaldo juve were knocked out. Ajax play sum wonderful football. They were saying Porto n ajax were the worst sides left. I'm glad now we got Porto ajax will be no ones pushover.

Ajax were brilliant tonight de ligt and de Jong are exceptional. It's a pity like Monaco in CL semis a few years ago that the big clubs come and take there best players and there back at square.1. Barca are sum team but adding those two will make it very hard for any team next year. On to tomorrow match I think it will end 2-2 sending us through. I would so love to see city knocked out and there season start to crumble. The Arabs really want the CL.

Still a bit worried about this one. Just hope we aren't as complacent as a lot of us supporters are.

Can't wait till we tw*t Barca, though. 😊

Still a bit worried about this one. Just hope we aren't as complacent as a lot of us supporters are.

Can't wait till we tw*t Barca, though. 😊

Don't worry, if Porto score an early goal it will be brick time for all of us.

But this team's maturity is very settling. Looking forward to another good performance.

Don't worry, if Porto score an early goal it will be brick time for all of us.

But this team's maturity is very settling. Looking forward to another good performance.

I'll be sober for it. Made the stupid mistake of getting hammered tonight instead. Schoolboy error.

Lets not get complacent. Porto is still a threat, they created a few good chances in the last game and could have scored a couple. They play direct football, fast on the offensive and we need to contain them. Their defence is suspect.  An early goal will be most welcome.
There's a possibility of a Liverpool vs Man City final. Hahaha ....

another professional 90 mins of football and we're in the CL semi's again god damn. our UEFA coefficient is going to absolutely rocket back up to the top 5/10, if we aren't already. i remember when we slipped embarrassingly low. Klopp has made us all very proud.

Today calls for a very professional performance

Tricky game to predict the score line, happy with a draw tbh.

I thought var were meant to show clear decisions to help the ref. How that wasn't a penalty on raktic in first half. Was caught clearly. Also great see ronaldo juve were knocked out. Ajax play sum wonderful football. They were saying Porto n ajax were the worst sides left. I'm glad now we got Porto ajax will be no ones pushover.

Never a penalty, Fred, as sh*te as he is gets the ball first then Rakitic kicks the back of his leg and falls over

It is all set up for us really in essence. If they come for us then we can look to pick them off. If we score we should go through really.

I definitely see us getting 2 goals here. Can i see Porto getting 5 goals? Probably not. Am as confident as i can feel about this game without crossing the line that leads to arrogance and complacency.

Porto are 2-0 down and at home in front of their own supporters. Klopp will set up for this. Am hoping we stick with the same midfield trio of Keita, Fabinho and Henderson.

Lovren got a cold again? Aw, bless his little cotton socks................... ..

I definitely see us getting 2 goals here. Can i see Porto getting 5 goals? Probably not. Am as confident as i can feel about this game without crossing the line that leads to arrogance and complacency.

Porto are 2-0 down and at home in front of their own supporters. Klopp will set up for this. Am hoping we stick with the same midfield trio of Keita, Fabinho and Henderson.

Lovren got a cold again? Aw, bless his little cotton socks................... ..

Hendo is apparently a slight doubt after a slight ankle injury vs Chelsea.
Fab, Milner and Gini would be my guess.

I definitely see us getting 2 goals here. Can i see Porto getting 5 goals? Probably not. Am as confident as i can feel about this game without crossing the line that leads to arrogance and complacency.

Porto are 2-0 down and at home in front of their own supporters. Klopp will set up for this. Am hoping we stick with the same midfield trio of Keita, Fabinho and Henderson.

Lovren got a cold again? Aw, bless his little cotton socks................... ..

Porto getting 5? Probably not 😮

There is F**k all chance they get 5 past this defence

If we get one.. which I think we will.. it's done and dusted

Never been more relaxed before a CL quarter final 2nd leg.  It'll be a comfortable night.

we score 1 goal tonight, porto need 4.

Very confident our defense will not concede 1 let alone 4.

Never been more relaxed before a CL quarter final 2nd leg.  It'll be a comfortable night.

Play like a training match then? And piss around? Take it easy. Look down on them. Walk in the park? No. Sometimes we get spanked when I see our players taking it easy with no urgency. Just a thought.

I'd be tempted to rotate the midfield a little for this one just to keep a few players fresh for the weekend.

Origi a possibility as well but just to make sure I'd like to see the normal front three, get a goal or two then make changes.

Allison

Trent    Matip    Van Dijk    Robertson

Wjinaldum

Milner      Keita

Salah    Firmino    Mane

Play like a training match then? And piss around? Take it easy. Look down on them. Walk in the park? No. Sometimes we get spanked when I see our players taking it easy with no urgency. Just a thought.

What are you talking about??!!

While i feel pretty confident about beating Porto tonight i am not going to be arrogant enough to think this is a foregone conclusion.

I haven't forgotten our 2-0 defeat at Red Star Belgrade in the group stages.

Hendo is apparently a slight doubt after a slight ankle injury vs Chelsea.
Fab, Milner and Gini would be my guess.

Hendo a slight doubt? FFS.

What are you talking about??!!

What ruth is probably trying to say skamp is that there are no easy games in the Champions League. Especially at the quarter final stage. One bad performance and it's all over.

What are you talking about??!!

Cannot take it easy and piss around. Like Mario. We have 11 Players with a Mario mentality and we're dead. I'm sure the lads will be professional.

I'd be tempted to rotate the midfield a little for this one just to keep a few players fresh for the weekend.

Origi a possibility as well but just to make sure I'd like to see the normal front three, get a goal or two then make changes.

Allison

Trent    Matip    Van Dijk    Robertson

Wjinaldum

Milner      Keita

Salah    Firmino    Mane

Would be my team as well. We need a linking midfielder and hope Naby carves out a few chances for our front-3, score at least 1 before HT. Bring on Lallana, Shaq and Origi for the front 3. Hope it plays out exactly that way.

Would be my team as well. We need a linking midfielder and hope Naby carves out a few chances for our front-3, score at least 1 before HT. Bring on Lallana, Shaq and Origi for the front 3. Hope it plays out exactly that way.

Yeap. Score one and bring on Shaq for the second half. I am sure an open game would suit him.

Yeap. Score one and bring on Shaq for the second half. I am sure an open game would suit him.

Obviously didnt mean subs at HT. duh!

Don't know what's going on with Shaqiri. Are the stories about his laziness true? Was weird how he ran to hug Klopp after the Salah wonder goal on Sunday.

Don't know what's going on with Shaqiri. Are the stories about his laziness true? Was weird how he ran to hug Klopp after the Salah wonder goal on Sunday.

Mate, he has had some niggles and rightly pulled out of int'l duty. Whats the point of playing someone half fit? Looks like he has been in full training only this month.

Obviously didnt mean subs at HT. duh!

Doesn't matter. Start with that team you said then throw Shaq sometime in the second half. That team of yours didn't have Shaq starting. Sub him in sometime in the second half.

Doesn't matter. Start with that team you said then throw Shaq sometime in the second half. That team of yours didn't have Shaq starting. Sub him in sometime in the second half.

I agree, when the game has been put to bed

Cannot take it easy and piss around. Like Mario. We have 11 Players with a Mario mentality and we're dead. I'm sure the lads will be professional.

Where did I say the team should "take it easy and piss around"??!!!

I said I'M relaxed about it and that we'd get through comfortably!  Not sure what you think you're reading.

Where did I say the team should "take it easy and piss around"??!!!

I said I'M relaxed about it and that we'd get through comfortably!  Not sure what you think you're reading.

. It's not against you mate. You said one thing. And I said another. It's not aimed against you. It was meant as yeah, comfortable but not to the point where every player is too comfortable that they'll lose the ball. It's just a misunderstanding... Relax. Nothing against your post.

We'll win it tonight. Let's go.

I think they'll throw everything at us early on.

Keep calm, defend well, don't give silly fouls away, but above all, KEEP CALM, and once the game settles down (assuming they haven't scored) we can take control of it.

If they get an early goal, it could be a long night.

Play like a training match then? And piss around? Take it easy. Look down on them. Walk in the park? No. Sometimes we get spanked when I see our players taking it easy with no urgency. Just a thought.

I think there is a big difference between a fan taking it easy and the players. I am fairly sure Klopp will have the lads fully focussed on this match and getting the first goal.
We will score at least one goal tonight, as they will have to attack, so that will mean them needing to score at least 4, if they manage that then we have no right to be in this competition.

I Except from the start, a 10-15 minute all out attack from them. They will have their fans behind them. Bend, just don’t break.

Wouldn’t an all out attack from them play into our hands?  It would make getting that ever important away goal that much easier with our counter attack.  I don’t see them scoring 4 goals no matter how they attack.  Their best chance is to keep us from scoring and hope to find 2 goals. At that point anything can happen in extra time and shoot out. 

Play like a training match then? And piss around? Take it easy. Look down on them. Walk in the park? No. Sometimes we get spanked when I see our players taking it easy with no urgency. Just a thought.

I don't think he's saying the team should be relaxed, just that he is.

I'm fairly relaxed too, don't see us having any real issues.

If they come at us hard early, I think it will be to their detriment. That plays right into our hands and I could certainly see us nicking a goal or two off of them if they do that.

Wouldn’t an all out attack from them play into our hands?  It would make getting that ever important away goal that much easier with our counter attack.  I don’t see them scoring 4 goals no matter how they attack.  Their best chance is to keep us from scoring and hope to find 2 goals. At that point anything can happen in extra time and shoot out.

It depends how far they can push us back and how well they keep the ball I think.

Dont concede early on wait and hit them on the break

Surprised to see Firmino rested, and Origi starting. Hadn't expected changes.

I think they'll throw everything at us early on.

Keep calm, defend well, don't give silly fouls away, but above all, KEEP CALM, and once the game settles down (assuming they haven't scored) we can take control of it.

If they get an early goal, it could be a long night.

Will be worth about five full paged in the match thread.