Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Virgil van Dijk's secret skill, why Liverpool fans celebrated Porto goal and other moments missed

Liverpool romped into the semi-finals of the Champions League with a comprehensive win over Porto on Wednesday.

Sadio Mane scored the all-important away goal as Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk also netted in a 4-1 triumph to secure a 6-1 aggregate success in their quarter-final tie.

The result meant Liverpool's Champions League semi-final dates vs Barcelona confirmed with Newcastle fixture to be rearranged next month for a place in the final against either Tottenham Hotspur or Ajax.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at the Estadio do Dragao.

Van Dijk sees it coming

Among many of Virgil van Dijk's qualities is his ability to read the game and sniff out danger before it becomes costly.

But did you know that vision also extends to a knack of knowing when Liverpool are going to score?

Virgil van Dijk on the only way Liverpool can stop Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi  

Such was the case when Mohamed Salah, released by Trent Alexander-Arnold's pass, hared down on Iker Casillas in the Porto goal.

Even before the Egyptian tucked the ball away for Liverpool's second, Van Dijk had his arms in the air celebrating. Pretty sure that wasn't included in the £75million transfer fee.

Porto fans don't stop

It wasn't hard to notice the weather in Porto on Wednesday night, given it bucketed it down for the most part.

But not even those conditions, nor their team floundering in the face of a hugely professional Liverpool display, could dampen the spirits of the home fans.

Jurgen Klopp has a message for Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez ahead of Liverpool return  

The majority of the near 50,000-crowd in the Estadio do Dragao were bouncing throughout the match, with the noise at its loudest after Liverpool scored their second goal.

Indeed, that backing roused Porto into a response that saw Eder Militao head their only goal shortly afterwards.

The Wijnaldum celebration

Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

That strike prompted Porto's resident stadium DJ to pump out the usual song for when the home team scores.

That'll be This Girl by Kungs – which you may recognise better as the tune for the Gini Wijnaldum chant.

How to save £15 on pre-orders for Liverpool's new kit for the 2019-2020 season  

Liverpool supporters high in the upper tier at the Estadio do Dragao were on to it straight away, and broke into an impromptu airing of the song.

It led to the very strange sight and sound of both sets of supporters celebrating after Porto's goal.

Pepe gotta Pepe

Not so much a moment missed as one worth bringing to everyone's attention again.

Porto's former Real Madrid defender Pepe has made a career out of what a family-friendly news outlet might term plophousery.

Liverpool's Champions League semi-final dates vs Barcelona confirmed with Newcastle fixture to be rearranged  

And he was it again nine minutes before the break when he sent Divock Origi flying face first into the sodden turf then complained vociferously to referee Mario Diks about the subsequent award of a yellow card.

Never change, Pepe. Not least because he clearly cannot.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.