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Liverpool player ratings vs Porto - Roberto Firmino stars but who joins him with an 8?
LIVERPOOL barely got out of first gear but it was enough to beat Porto in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final 2-0 but who impressed Express Sport?
Naby Keita’s deflected strike opened the scoring with Roberto Firmino grabbing Liverpool’s second before half-time.
Porto showed endeavour without really threatening, and Jurgen Klopp’s side looked like they could have added to the scoreline.
They travel to Portugal next week having won 5-0 against the same opposition in last year’s competition.
And another solid performance will likely put Liverpool into the Champions League semi-finals.
Express Sport has rated how the Liverpool players performed during their clash with Porto – do you agree?
Liverpool player ratings vs Porto - Champions League
GK: Alisson - 6
Was called into action in the first half making two fine saves.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7
Assisted Liverpool’s second, putting it on a tee for Firmino to tap home.
CB: Dejan Lovren - 6
Comfortable first outing back since a hamstring injury.
CB: Virgil van Dijk - 6
One dodgy moment with Alisson though was as solid as ever bar that incident.
LB: James Milner - 7
Deputised at left-back for the suspended Andy Robertson and barely put a foot wrong. Nice pass to Mane for the opener.
CM: Jordan Henderson - 8
Captain fantastic for Liverpool. A number of attacking passes and looks better in a more advanced role.
CM: Fabinho - 7
Grew into the game and was quietly effective in the middle of the park.
Liverpool: Pundit slams Klopp’s decision ahead of Porto match
CM: Naby Keita - 6
Made it two goals in two games with an early shot, which needed a deflection to go in but was quiet apart from that.
RW: Mohamed Salah - 7
Missed a golden chance in the first half after a Porto mistake but didn’t let it get him down.
ST: Roberto Firmino - 8
Liverpool’s brightest star. Got the goal that made it comfortable and was a constant threat.
LW: Sadio Mane - 5
Quiet night for the Senegalese forward, though remained lively and was constantly available.
SUB: Divock Origi (on for Mane, 73 mins) - 6
The game was won by the time the Belgian was on but he was making some nice runs and getting the Reds on the front foot.
SUB: Daniel Sturridge (on for Firmino, 82 mins) - N/A
Little time to make an impact with the game sealed.