Liverpool travel to Portugal on Tuesday. Who will come out on top in this fascinating Champions League clash?
Liverpool will be seeking to make it 2 wins out of 2 in the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League when they travel to the Estadio do Dragao in Porto for Tuesday evening’s Group B clash with the Portuguese club. Sérgio Conceição’s team began their European campaign with a 0-0 draw against Atlético Madrid, while the Reds defeated AC Milan in a midweek thriller at Anfield!
Porto are forced into a defensive change following Chancel Mbemba’s red card and subsequent suspension that he picked up against Atlético Madrid. Pepe’s enforced substitution against Atlético also saw him miss Friday’s league win against Moreirense, and his muscle edema may keep him out here too.
Fábio Cardoso and Iván Marcano could therefore form the centre-back pairing against the Reds, with Wendell playing at left-back. 1st-choice goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín is thought to have a chance of making his 1st appearance of the season.
Marko Grujić should start against his former club after playing the full 90 minutes against Atlético. Meanwhile, Sérgio Oliveira looks likely to be competing with Mateus Uribe for the final place in Conceição’s midfield engine room.
Liverpool pair Naby Keita and Thiago Alcântara will probably be keeping Harvey Elliott company in the treatment room until after the international break, while Neco Williams also remains a doubt because of an ankle injury.
Jürgen Klopp is expected to make at least 2 changes ahead of this weekend’s fixture against Manchester City, with Takumi Minamino and Kostas Tsimikas both hopeful of keeping their places on the left.
Roberto Firmino’s return to full fitness could see him replace Diogo Jota in attack, while Curtis Jones and James Milner are competing for the final midfield spot.
Our prediction is a 3-1 away win for Liverpool! They should have too much firepower for Porto to cope with!
