FC Porto vs Liverpool
Uefa Champions League
Quarter-final, second leg (aggregate 0-2)
Venue: Estadio do Dragao, Porto
Kick-off: 8pm GMT, Wednesday April 17, 2019
Although Liverpool’s focus will return to the European matters this week, Jurgen Klopp’s side would be excused for having one-eye on the weekend’s Premier League trip to Cardiff City.
The Reds take a 2-0 lead to the Dragao on Wednesday after goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino.
FC Porto recorded a sixth-straight victory in the Primeira Liga at the weekend, and Sergio Conceicao will be able to field a stronger side to the one available to him at Anfield last week.
But will it be too little too late for the Portuguese side? Standard Sport runs the rule over this second leg tie…
First leg match highlights
Team news and predicted line-ups
Porto were boosted in midweek by the return of forward Vincent Aboubakar, though the Cameroonian did not feature in the weekend win at Portimonense.
Aboubakar has been sidelined for over six months after rupturing the ligaments in his left knee.
Elsewhere, former Real Madrid man Pepe is expected to return, which would see Porto revert to a back-four with Eder Militao (who will join Barcelona in the summer) moving to right-back.
Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns with captain Jordan Henderson expected to play.
The England international was substituted with an ankle injury during Sunday’s win over Chelsea, but Klopp allayed concerns that he had sustained any long-term damage.
“He got a knock on his ankle, that’s pretty much all," said Klopp. "He was fine after the game.
"A bit of pain, no problem, [he] didn’t twist [it]. It’s only painful, not a problem.”
Andy Robertson will return at left-back following his suspension.
Possible team line-ups
FC Porto XI (4-4-2): Casillas; Eder Militao, Felipe, Pepe, Alex Telles; Otavio, D Pereira, Almeida Costa, Corona; Soares, Marega.
Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Henderson; Salah, Mane, Firmino.
Score prediction: FC Porto 1-2 Liverpool, 1-4 on aggregate
Porto showed in their home leg against AS Roma in the last round that they are no pushovers at the Dragao, but Liverpool’s first-leg lead will be more than enough to see them through to the semi-finals, and we expect them to win on the night as well.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- FC Porto to qualify (including extra time and penalties): 12/1
- Liverpool to qualify (including extra time and penalties): 1/50
First goalscorer
FC Porto (selected)
- Tiquinho Soares: 11/2
- Moussa Marega: 15/2
- Andre Pereira: 9/1
Liverpool (selected)
- Mohamed Salah: 4/1
- Sadio Mane: 5/1
- Roberto Firmino: 13/2
Click here for the latest odds.
TV channel, live stream and online coverage
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 3 and BT Sport 4K UHD. BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
Standard Sport will be LIVE at the Etihad on the night to bring you expert coverage and analysis.
Head to Head history and results (h2h)
The two sides have met seven times in European competition, with Porto yet to beat Liverpool.
The Reds have won four times, drawing the other three games
