Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson believes the Reds could have the advantage in the title race after their Champions League victory against Porto.
Jurgen Klopp’s side secured a 2-0 win in the first leg at Anfield, thanks to goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino, and have put one foot in the semi-finals of the competition.
Meanwhile, Manchester City suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in their quarter-final tie and have more work to do in next week’s second leg.
Jurgen Klopp handed Champions League disciplinary boost as Liverpool put one foot in semi-finals
According to Lawrenson, that could be decisive in the title run-in as Klopp ’s side could take their foot off the gas and focus on counter-attacking during their trip to Portugal next week.
“ Liverpool should be able to cruise through the second leg, which will help their Premier League title bid too. Manchester City do not have that luxury after losing the first leg of their quarter-final against Tottenham,” he told the BBC .
“Yes, there is the chance Porto get an early goal at Estadio do Dragao next Wednesday, and start to put Liverpool under some pressure.
“But with the way Liverpool are set up, and the threat they pose on the counter-attack, the way the tie is poised suits them perfectly. Porto will have to come at them, and the Reds can just play on the break.”
Lawrenson also identified that this week’s Premier League clash with Chelsea at Anfield is a significant moment in the title race but eased the pressure on his former side, stating the situation is nothing new for the Reds.
“The focus now goes back on to the Premier League title race. The visit of Chelsea on Sunday is a big moment, but I think Liverpool are ready for the challenge,” he added.
“The worry for them is that Eden Hazard turns up and plays at the same level he did against West Ham on Monday because, when he does that, he is very difficult to stop.
"But Chelsea usually have to have a lot of the ball for him to do that, and I am not so sure that will happen at Anfield.
“Liverpool know what they have to do to have a chance of winning the Premier League - at the moment it is out of their hands, but they have to win every game, and hope City slip up.
“It has been the same for them every week since Christmas. If you had posed the question 'what do Liverpool need to do?' before every game, then most of the time the answer would have been 'win'. It is the same on Sunday, so what's new?”
