27 September 2021, 10:23 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The UEFA Champions League Group B fixture, FC Porto vs. Liverpool FC, kicks off at 20:00 (GMT+1) on Tuesday, September 28 at Estádio do Dragão.
Preview Porto Champions League, Sep 28, 2021
Preview FC Porto remain unbeaten in five games across all competitions: WDDWW and sit in 2nd place in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, having picked up a 2-1 win against Gil Vicente over the weekend. On UEFA Champions League Matchday 1, Porto picked up a goalless draw against Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, leaving the club with one point after their first UCL fixture: 0W, 1D, & 0L. Now, manager Sérgio Conceição aims to avoid a defeat against Liverpool on Tuesday so as to remain in contention for the knock-out phase. The 46-year-old could line up the conventional 4—4—2 formation with Toni Martínez and the Iranian center-forward, Mehdi Taremi, forming the two-pronged attack. Skipper Pepe will be saddled with the responsibility of keeping Liverpool's top scorer, the red-hot-form Mohamed Salah, quiet throughout the length of the game. Salah reached another milestone for Liverpool with his fifth goal of the season on Saturday. The Egyptian was involved in 33% of Liverpool's goals against Milan. A brief history reveals that FC Porto have lost five of their last eight fixtures against English sides, leaving their overall home record against English teams at W8, D7, & L5. Looking ahead, FC Porto will host AC Milan at the Estádio do Dragão on UEFA Champions League Matchday 3, Oct. 19.
Preview Liverpool Champions League, Sep 28, 2021
Preview Liverpool picked up a hard-fought 3-3 draw against Brentford in the English Premier League on Saturday. On UEFA Champions League Matchday 1, the Reds defeated AC Milan, 3-2, on home soil. An own goal from Fikayo Tomori (9' O.G.) in the opening minutes saw Liverpool establish the lead. But two goals from Ante Rebic (42') and Brahim Diaz (44'), within a space of six minutes gave Milan the lead before the break. However, a goal from Mohamed Salah in the 48th minute restored parity shortly after the interval. Minutes later, Jordan Henderson (69') wrapped up the three points for Liverpool. The Reds are at the top of Group B with 3 points after 1W, 0D & 0L. Diogo Jota playing through the middle in the 4—3—3 while being flanked by Mane and Salah will be seen once again from Klopp. Thiago Alcántara will be unavailable alongside Harvey Elliott while Naby Keita remains doubtful. Without mentioning Martínez and Mehdi Taremi, who have a combined total of seven goals in the domestic league for Porto, Luis Díaz will pose another form of threat to Liverpool's defense. Porto's top scorer, Díaz has 5 goals in 7 appearances in the Primeira Liga. The Reds have recorded six victories in their last nine UEFA Champions League fixtures on the road: 6W, D1, L2. Liverpool takes on Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on UCL Matchday 3, Oct. 19.