Having defeated Porto 2-0 at Anfield in mid-week, can Liverpool continue their serene progress in the Champions League?
Its important to consider that ahead of next week’s Champions League quarter-final 2nd leg against Porto at the Estádio do Dragão, Liverpool cannot take their 1st leg advantage for granted.
Anything can happen. That is why the Champions League is one of the greatest cup competitions in the world. So, manager Jurgen Klopp must warn his players to guard against complacency when they make the trip to Portugal for next week’s second leg.
The 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena that ensured their safe passage to the quarter-finals, was an outstanding away performance. This is something former player and pundit, Jamie Carragher also highlighted.
In a difficult stadium, against the defending Bundesliga champions and one of the best teams in Europe, it was a fantastic display from Liverpool. One that manager Jurgen Klopp and his players should be immensely proud of.
They have backed that up with victory over Porto on Tuesday night. Of course, they could have scored more goals but before the game, Jurgen Klopp would have taken a 2-0 score line. Crucially, Liverpool prevented the away goal which was another positive.
This means their plan in Portugal must be to keep playing in the positive way that they have been of late. If Porto score first, Liverpool should attack and score that decisive away goal, like they did in Munich.
Assuming they come through the match with Porto, they would then face either Barcelona or Manchester United in the semis. Lionel Messi’s Barcelona may be feared by some but the way they played in mid-week at Old Trafford suggests they are beatable.
United have lost to both PSG and Barca at home, so they too should hold no fear for Jurgen Klopp’s men. Then if they are able to get to the Champions League final in Madrid and emulate their achievements of last year, then its all to play for.
One positive is that Liverpool’s vanquishers are out, as are Atletico, Bayern and Dortmund. This leaves the competition wide open with only Barcelona and Juventus to be wary of.
If Liverpool are told to prioritise the Premier League, then they will on the grounds that the fans are desperate to finally win it. But with the Champions League so wide open, Liverpool should fancy their chances of again lifting a sixth European Cup.
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Fans will hope that Liverpool throw everything at the Premiership and the Champions League in the coming weeks, with the aim of finally winning a trophy under Jurgen Klopp. Fourth time lucky!
