UEFA Champions League

Liverpool to face Barcelona after beating FC Porto

Liverpool to face Barcelona after beating FC Porto in what seemed like an easy challenge for the boys in red. Liverpool swept side Porto with a thumping 6-1 aggregate victory to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg at Anfield, goals from Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk underscored an accomplished win by Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The Reds had been forced to survive an early bombardment in the saturated Estadio do Dragao, before Mane opened the scoring with a sliding effort – from Salah’s scuffed shot – which was confirmed by VAR.

Salah stroked in a second after the break from a superb counter-attack before Real Madrid-bound defender Eder Militao pulled a goal back for the hosts.

Liverpool reasserted their authority though with close-range headers from Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk sealing an impressive victory.

Remarkably Porto had threatened to capitalise on a sluggish Liverpool start until Mane’s goal swung the momentum of the second leg back in the visitors’ favour.

Until then Liverpool were the beneficiaries of errant finishing from the home side – with Mali forward Moussa Marega notably failing to convert any of his five chances in the opening 20 minutes.

Liverpool will face Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final at the Nou Camp on Tuesday 30 April (20:00 BST)

Source: BBC