Liverpool's Champions League ambitions gained an unexpected boost when Porto penalty taker Alex Telles injured himself last night - taking the spot-kick which helped earn the Portuguese title chasers a vital away win at Sporting Braga.
The Brazilian left-back has been a virtual ever present for Porto this season - and has proved very reliable from 12 yards.
It was his 117th minute spot kick which clinched Port's progress past Roma in the last round of the Champions League. He added another 10 days later in a 3-0 defeat of Maritimo and brought Porto level from 12 yards in Braga last night.
But after striking the ball Telles collapsed in pain holding his right hip and was immediately replaced.
It is only 10 days until Liverpool welcome the Portuguese high-fliers to Anfield for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final and Telles is already a major doubt.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp , meanwhile, welcomed a full quota of players to training last week for the first time this season following Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's return to fitness.
