Liverpool will play hosts to FC Porto at Anfield on Tuesday night looking to get a healthy lead in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie. The Reds come into this game at the back of an impressive 3-1 win over Southampton last week. Jurgen Klopp’s side are gradually starting to fire on all cylinders so it could be a tough night for Porto if they are not careful in the defensive third of the pitch.
Klopp might choose to stick with his favoured 4-3-3 formation to counter Porto’s 4-4-2 set-up.
Team News
Liverpool
Andrew Robertson won’t be available in this European clash after he picked up a yellow card against Bayern Munich in the last round. Hence, Jurgen Klopp might choose to start James Milner at left-back in this midweek encounter. Both Fabinho and Wijnaldum should start the match, but Klopp has to decide on whether to opt for Jordan Henderson or Adam Lallana as his third creative option in midfield.
FC Porto
Alex Telles is a doubt for this game, but he should recover in time to start on Tuesday night. Pepe is suspended for the first leg which will be a massive blow for the away team. Vincent Aboubakar remains a long-term casualty after he picked up a cruciate ligament injury earlier in this campaign.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool
Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil Van Dijk, James Milner, Fabinho, Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane
FC Porto
Iker Casillas, Eder Militao, Felipe, Diogo Leite, Alex Telles, Jesús Manuel Corona, Danilo Pereira, Otavio, Yacine Brahimi, Moussa Marega, Francisco Soares
Key Men
Liverpool
James Milner needs to have a good game at left-back as Liverpool cannot afford to get exposed defensively in the absence of Robertson. Klopp’s front three of Salah, Firmino and Mane needs to be clinical with their finishing so that the Reds are in a strong position at the end of the first leg.
FC Porto
Both Marega and Soares will be responsible for causing a few problems for the Reds defenders. Iker Casillas will also need to be at his best if the Spanish keeper wants to restrict the Liverpool attackers from scoring too many goals on Tuesday night.
Odds
Liverpool win – 3/10
Draw – 17/4
FC Porto win – 39/4
