Porto
Jose Sa – 4
Not an evening to remember for the Portuguese goalkeeper, he allowed Mane’s shot to squirm under his body and into the net for Liverpool’s first goal and his night only got worse from there.
Ricardo – 4
Was up against a Mane that put in his best display of the season, struggled defensively and allowed the Liverpool attacker onto his inside too easily.
Diego Reyes – 5
Provided a crucial interception to stop Liverpool taking the lead early on but after that he was overwhelmed by the quality of the Liverpool attackers.
Ivan Mercano – 5
Blocked superbly to prevent Firmino from heading the opener but became invisible from then on, didn’t offer his goalkeeper much protection.
Alex Telles – 4
Couldn’t cope with the quality of Salah, was easily dispossessed when he attacked down the left and was guilty of going down too easily on numerous occasions.
Sergio Oliveira – 5
Was overrun by the Liverpool midfield and although he saw a fair amount of possession, he lacked the real quality to create anything.
Hector Herrera – 5
The captain’s performance summed up that of his team: insipid, lacking energy and wasteful in possession.
Moussa Marega – 4
A poor performance – his physicality is his greatest attribute but it was a hindrance rather than a benefit in this match.
Otavio – 5
Tasked with the playmaker role, but failed to really create any clear-cut chances.
Yacine Brahimi – 6
Saw quite a lot of the ball but couldn’t do much with the possession, played one or two nice balls forward but spent a lot of the evening chasing Milner and Salah.
Francisco Soares – 5
Had Porto’s best chance of the first-half with a wide shot just before half-time, didn’t do much more of note.
Liverpool
Loris Karius – 7
Kept a clean sheet, although was hardly tested, received the ball at his feet a fair few times mainly just to keep him awake.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7
An accomplished performance – dealt well with Brahimi and defended what he had to well, linked up well with Milner on the right
Dejan Lovren – 7
Looks a different player alongside van Dijk – was strong in the air and defended on the front foot, also started the play for Mane’s first goal.
Virgil van Dijk – 8
Was very good in the air and in possession, played some lovely cross-field passes and was constantly organising and instructing his fellow defenders; he also provided on our two key blocks that prevented Porto goalscoring opportunities.
Andrew Robertson – 7
His defensive and attacking qualities were on full show, covered well and dealt with the one-on-ones but also provided some really good crosses into the area for the attackers.
James Milner – 8
A typical Milner performance: tidy, simple but yet so effective – his fine play and rebounded shot allowed Salah to coolly finish for Liverpool’s second.
Jordan Henderson – 7
Led the team well and was neat and tidy in possession. His possession kept Liverpool in control and was sharp to close down Porto and prevent the developing of attacks
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7
Played a crucial part in Mane’s opener and from then on he played with confidence and purpose; he knitted the play well in the midfield area and overran his Porto counterparts.
Mohamed Salah – 8
His 30th goal of the season was one of fine composure and skill, no defence in Europe would like to face the Egyptian in his current phenomenal form.
Roberto Firmino – 7
His work ethic, as ever, was exemplary and his constant movement really did allow Salah and Mane the space to create, got on the scoresheet himself before being taken off and wrapped in cotton wool by Klopp.
Sadio Mane – 8
His hat-trick sent Liverpool into the quarter-finals. After a few months of below-par performances, he was certainly back and brimming with confidence in Porto, his runs and movement also impressed as well as his clinical finishing.
