Champions League: Merseysiders Prepare to Face Tournament Underdogs

Liverpool vs Porto

When the draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League was made, Liverpool fans must have been rubbing their hands with glee.

Not only were the Merseysiders drawn against the weakest side left in the competition but their title rivals Manchester City had the prospect of an energy-draining all-English encounter with Spurs.

So there’s no surprise then that Liverpool are strong favourites with SBOBET Champions League betting odds to defeat a side they beat 5-0 on aggregate in the tournament on their way to the final last season.

Talking Points

Not that there are any easy games, in theory, at this stage of the competition.

Liverpool are in fine form. Top of the Premier League after overcoming scares against Spurs and Southampton in the past week and were impressive to knock out Bayern Munich on their own turf in the last 16.

opacity 0

CLICK HERE
TO SEE UPDATED ODDS

Premier League

FC Porto are also at the summit of the Primeira Liga and saw off last year’s semi-finalists Roma at the same stage last month.

As both aim to produce more Champions League highlights, Sergio Conceicao will know his side need to tighten up at the back and be far more obdurate than they were 13 months ago if they are to produce a challenge against last season’s runners-up.

Liverpool are near enough at full strength with the loss of the suspended Andy Robertson set to be offset by the return of James Milner, whose appearance as a substitute against Southampton in the Premier League helped turn the game in their favour.

Porto also have absentees of their own with the suspended duo of veteran Portuguese defender Pepe and Hector Herrera.

While Liverpool are in the last eight for the second season in a row, this is Porto’s first UEFA Champions League quarter-final appearance since 2014/15 and only their second for a decade.

The statistics all are in favour of the home club.

Porto, whose tally of 16 points was the highest of any club in this season’s group stage,are seeking a first semi-final appearance since 2003/04 when they lifted the trophy under José Mourinho.

Their only two victories in seven previous quarter-final appearances came in the seasons when they were crowned European champions, while their record in two-legged ties with English clubs is won three, lost eight.

Sergio Conceicao is aiming for Porto to produce Champions League highlights — Sergio Conceicao is preparing his side as they visit Anfield

In addition, they have lost the last five and have not beaten English opposition in a knockout tie since they controversially knocked out Manchester United in 2004.

Last season’s draw at Liverpool may have ended a five-game losing streak in away games against Premier League sides, but Porto have not scored on their last six visits to England, conceding 13 goals, and have never won there.

Moussa Marega, who has scored six goals so far in the Champions League this season, may be their biggest threat. In defence, also watch out for Éder Militãowho is set to join Real Madrid in the summer.

History

The two sides have met six times in European competition, with Porto yet to be successful.

These two sides met in the competition last 16 last season. It was all over after the first leg with Liverpool triumphing 5-0 in Portugal, courtesy of a hat-trick from Sadio Mane and goals from Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino. The second leg at Anfield was a low-key affair and finished goalless.

Before that, they met in the 2007 group stages with the games ending 1-1 in Portugal and 4-1 to Liverpool at Anfield.

They also clashed in the 2001 UEFA Cup quarter-final where the first leg ended 0-0 before Liverpool won the second leg 2-0 with Danny Murphy and Michael Owen the scorers.