FC Porto 1-4 Liverpool: In game and Post Match discussion

Definitely got this, they look quite good though!

We made Porto look. Like barca in that first half. Poor pitch but our passing has been totally off. Anyway surely its job done now.
See Spurs have another midfielder off sissoko groin and winks out Ali with a broken hand. They've run out of Midfielders and have had to bring lorente on. Crazy match

Have to give Kudos to Porto for that half, they know which areas we like to play in and they've closed them off really well, along with good pressing, and a ball over the top between VVD and Matip that caused us problems.

For all that, they haven't had real clear cut chances, and we should see this out 2nd half with a couple of tweaks at half time.

How are we winning?! I'm struggling to remember a time that we've played this badly under Klopp? Even when we got smashed by City and Spurs last season we were much much better than this. Passing is non-existent, tackling is non-existent, creativity is non-existent. Matip and Robbo have been getting pulled from pillar to post, the midfield is having a mare, the front line somehow managed to get a goal.

But, we are winning so that's all that matters. I'd rather play like this and progress to the next round than play great and still lose. Let's hope we up it a bit in the 2nd half, but let's face it, we would do well to play worse than that half.

Mane should be changed now in my opinion. This referee will give him a second card if he does something wrong.

🤔🤔

In defence of the assistant the Mane goal was tight - but still - without VAR that's not given.

Job half done. Lads have dug in and done it the ugly way, something we weren’t so good at last season.

Always going to be tough away from home at a top team with a raucous crowd behind them. We’ve sat deep and looked to play in the break and it has worked thus far. I’ve read lots of posters berating for not closing them down or pressing quickly enough but you can’t do both. If you wanna sit deep and prevent them playing in behind then you can’t squeeze and press them at the same time. Our lads will get more space and time in the 2nd half so long as we keep it tight the first 10 mo utes of that 2nd half.

Ok they haven't scored by half time. So looks promising for us.

The need four. Start planning your night for the 30th.

because of their high press, it was good because it cut off our front 3, but the counter got them. I didn't think we'd counter as easily because they did have defenders back. That's why I thought we should switch to a 4-3-1-2. We got some luck so we don't need to change now.

Still need to change it for me, hendo for gini and bobby for origi

How are we winning?! I'm struggling to remember a time that we've played this badly under Klopp?

We played a lot lot worse in the group stage away games mate.  Porto had a lot of 'chances' but were many of them gilt-edged?

Soaked it up and scored when we got the chance.  Sign of a pretty impressive side I'd say. 

I remember when we used to play boss and not win matches.  When was the last time that happened?

City cheating by injuring Spurs players

For all their possession and chances, they’ve only had one proper effort from Brahimi.

Just need to wrestle back midfield and it’ll be a breeze. However Gini has once again gone to sh*t away from home - watch how often TAA is left against two attackers and it forces Matip out. And on the ball he’s been either crap or not presenting to receive it. Would love Hendo to come on for him.

Superb goal we scored, though. Thought it was offside at first!

The need four. Start planning your night for the 30th.

No no no, there're teams that can score 3 in six minutes. So don't celebrate yet. Almost there. Hang on.

Why is Origi trying to dribble pass defenders? he should run pass defenders, he's no dribble wizard while fab has been very poor so far. Hendo pls.

Thought it was offside at first!

So did Mane.

I love VAR.

The second half will be much different and we will dominate.  Unless they have the cardio of an Ethiopian marathon runner, they expended much more energy going balls to the wall like they did. We should have the fresher legs and should take advantage. 

So did Mane.

to be fair, most his goals get disallowed.

So did Mane.

Looked nailed on. Was almost yelling at the refs to hurry up and continue the game

Why is Origi trying to dribble pass defenders? he should run pass defenders, he's no dribble wizard. fab has been very poor so far. Hendo pls.

Think Fab has been the best of the three but not much quality in there, has there?

Origi often isolated when he gets the ball, in his defence. But it’s a shame he hasn’t stepped up after being handed the start.

Robbo needs to start getting his body shape right, too. Getting turned inside and out way too easy.

The game went as I thought. They look like a side needing a few goals while we play within ourselves knowing the tie is all but dead.

Steady second half from us and we should have no real issues.

They'll need an early goal to be in with any chance. If we can keep them out for the next 15-20 minutes, it'll pull us closer to the finish.

We're missing a Jan Molby, that's probably what Klopp should look at in the close season. Teams will struggle big time.

https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1118597816325156865

Mad stat.