23 November 2021, 09:12 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Liverpool faces FC Porto for the second time this season in the UEFA Champions League group stage, having already qualified for the knockout stage. Following the Reds’ 5-1 win over the Portuguese outfit in the reverse fixture, both sides meet again at 21:00 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, November 24 at Anfield. Felix Zwayer (GER) has been given the nod to take charge of this fixture for the length of its duration, while Bastian Dankert (GER) will be the VAR.
Preview Liverpool Champions League, Nov 24, 2021
Preview After four consecutive victories on European soil, Liverpool are back in the Champions League after picking a sorry Arsenal apart in a 4-0 win at the weekend. On UCL MD4, the Reds defeated ten-man Atletico Madrid 2-0 at home. Diogo Jota’s header inside the first fifteen minutes put Liverpool in the lead before Sadio Mane (21’) struck for the second. Minutes later, the Reds picked up the numerical advantage over ATM after Felipe (R. 36’) received his marching orders for a cynical foul on Mane. With a man more, the red-barrage of attacks continued upon Atletico Madrid until the final whistle. The Reds are one of four sides to have won their first four games in this season's UEFA Champions League group stage, along with Ajax (Group C), Bayern München (Group E), and Juventus (Group H). A first-place finish is already assured, and a few new faces may find their way into Klopp's starting lineup in order to earn valuable Champions League time. However, the 4—3—3 formation is expected to remain in place, despite the freedom to experiment. Riddled with injuries, Liverpool could be without as many as six players. Curtis Jones (eye injury) and Joe Gomez (calf injury) are ruled out, while Diogo Jota (knee injury), Divock Origi (leg), and Andrew Robertson (hamstring) are in doubt. Roberto Firmino (hamstring) is also ruled out, while Milner will miss the next match if he is booked on Wednesday. After four consecutive victories on European soil, Liverpool are back in the Champions League after picking a sorry Arsenal apart in a 4-0 win at the weekend. On UCL MD4, the Reds defeated ten-man Atletico Madrid 2-0 at home. Diogo Jota’s header inside the first fifteen minutes put Liverpool in the lead before Sadio Mane (21’) struck for the second. Minutes later, the Reds picked up the numerical advantage over ATM after Felipe (R. 36’) received his marching orders for a cynical foul on Mane. With a man more, the red-barrage of attacks continued upon Atletico Madrid until the final whistle. The Reds are one of four sides to have won their first four games in this season's UEFA Champions League group stage, along with Ajax (Group C), Bayern München (Group E), and Juventus (Group H). A first-place finish is already assured, and a few new faces may find their way into Klopp's starting lineup in order to earn valuable Champions League time. However, the 4—3—3 formation is expected to remain in place, despite the freedom to experiment. Riddled with injuries, Liverpool could be without as many as six players. Curtis Jones (eye injury) and Joe Gomez (calf injury) are ruled out, while Diogo Jota (knee injury), Divock Origi (leg), and Andrew Robertson (hamstring) are in doubt. Roberto Firmino (hamstring) is also ruled out, while Milner will miss the next match if he is booked on Wednesday.
Preview Porto Champions League, Nov 24, 2021
Preview FC Porto remains unbeaten in four games in all competitions: LWDWW, and are second in UCL Group B with 5 points, one point ahead of third-place Atletico Madrid – after 1W, 2D, and 1L. Sérgio Conceição’s side must defeat Liverpool to remain in contention for a second-place finish in the group. The 46-year-old will be going for the kill when he lines up the conventional 4—4—2 formation with Toni Martínez and the Iranian center-forward, Mehdi Taremi, forming the two-pronged attack. In a bid to keep Liverpool at bay, skipper, Pepe will be saddled with the responsibility of keeping the back line organized. Mateus Uribe and Vítor Ferreira will miss the next match if booked on Wednesday. Luis Díaz has 2 goals in the competition for Porto and will be on the hunt for a third on UCL MD5.