In eight games between these two sides, Liverpool have never lost to Porto and their start to the 2021-22 season would suggest that it will take quite the feat at both ends of the pitch if the Portuguese giants are to end a streak of five defeats and three draws on Tuesday in the Champions League.
Both sides enter this match having earned impressive results on the opening UCL matchday, Porto drawing at Atletico Madrid whilst Liverpool won a thrilling tie with AC Milan. Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
Viewing information
- Date: Tuesday, Sept. 28 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio do Dragao — Porto, Portugal
- TV and live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Porto +380; Draw +290; Liverpool -143 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
Porto: Sergio Conceicao’s side have enjoyed much success in the Champions League in recent months largely down to a belligerent defense that is more than capable of blocking and saving an awful lot more shots than an average team might. They will certainly need to do so against one of the most aggressive attacks in Europe but their task may be harder without Chancel Mbemba, who was sent off in the draw with Atletico Madrid.
That game was, however, an impressive display of resilience at one end (limiting Atletico to shots worth just 0.34 expected goals) whilst making plenty of chances at the other end. They certainly were not defense first on that occasion but expect them to prioritize that end of the pitch against the Reds.
Liverpool: With Thiago Alcantara and Harvey Elliott sidelined, Saturday’s impressive performance in the 3-3 draw against Brentford was well timed by Curtis Jones. The youngster, who featured consistently throughout the injury woes Liverpool suffered in late 2020 and early this year, might have expected to play a bigger role earlier this season following the departure of Georginio Wijnaldum but had to wait until last week for his first starts of the season. He will be hoping to follow that with a start in Portugal.
“The last game against Brentford was a pretty good example, that’s how Curtis has to play, that consistently, that’s how it is,” Jurgen Klopp said. “Defensively he was really good, he won a lot of important balls, he was involved in the attack and he scored a wonderful goal. He can score exactly the same goal with his left foot, which makes him pretty special.”
Prediction
It might not be as easy as the scoreline suggests, but Liverpool have the attacking firepower right now to disrupt any opponent, even one as strong without the ball as Porto. PICK: Liverpool 3, Porto 1
