Player ratings: Liverpool midfielder comes of age; Bobby dazzles off the bench
We rate the players as Liverpool made it two wins from two in Champions League Group B after a 5-1 rout of Porto on Tuesday evening.
The Reds went ahead in the 18th minute when Curtis Jones cut in from the left and saw his effort parried, with Mo Salah on hand to tap home from close range.
Sadio Mane added a second just before the break when he swept home a fine cross by James Milner to the far post to give Liverpool breathing room.
Salah notched his second with a composed finish on the hour mark after a fine passing move, before Porto pulled a goal back with 15 minutes to go.
Roberto Firmino then came off the bench to grab a brace, taking advantage of a keeper howler before lashing home another after a lengthy VAR check.
Here we look at how the Liverpool players rated, in what was a tremendous display.
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Liverpool (4-3-3)
Alisson: Comfortable save from Luis Diaz in a first-half when he was largely a spectator. Pulled off another smart top in the second half but could do nothing about Porto’s consolation. 7/10
James Milner: Was given an early test by lively Porto winger Luis Diaz but provided an excellent cross for Liverpool’s second as Mane swept home. Replaced by Joe Gomez midway through the half. 7
Joel Matip: Had a cigar on for most of the night as the Reds dominated possession and will have enjoyed what he saw. 7
Virgil van Dijk: Calm, composed and measured in possession – where have we heard that before! It was a stroll for Liverpool’s talisman. 7
Andrew Robertson: Got forward well and saw a fierce second-half strike kept out. Great piece of defending late on to deny Porto a second. 7
Jordan Henderson: Great energy, as always, but his final ball was sometimes disappointing. Excellent curling free-kick tipped over just before the break. Subbed in the second half. 7
Fabinho: Dominated midfield, allowing Henderson and Jones to push forward at will. Had little to do defensively. 8
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 28, 2021
CURTIS JONES DOMINANT IN MIDFIELD
Curtis Jones: Played a big part in Liverpool’s opener when his shot was only parried and Salah tapped home the rebound. Saw further efforts kept out as he ran the show with two assists on the night. Indeed, it was an outstanding display from the Toxteth-born midfielder. 9 – Man of the Match
The Dragons slayed once again by the Reds!
Liverpool have scored FOURTEEN goals against Porto in their last 3 meetings
FT: Porto 1-5 Liverpool#UCL pic.twitter.com/GhT68HDG6a
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 28, 2021
Sadio Mane: Not the best of first halves but tapped home Milner’s cross just before half-time to make up for it. Was a menace throughout but was given a rest by Klopp with 25 minutes to go. Could prove vital too ahead of the weekend clash with Man City. 7
Diogo Jota: Saw a first-half effort tipped over and was unlucky not to score on the night as he troubled the Porto defence with his movement throughout. Replaced by Origi late on. 7
Mo Salah: Johnny on the spot as he swept home from close range to give Liverpool the lead, and produced another cool finish in the second-half after a fine Liverpool move. Subbed for Minamino midway through the second period. 8
Liverpool substitutes
Joe Gomez (on for Milner, 66): Beaten to a header for Porto’s goal but otherwise solid. 6
Roberto Firmino (on for Salah, 66): Given a goal be woeful goalkeeping with 13 minutes to go and kept his cool to slot home a second after a lengthy VAR check. 8
Takumi Minamino (on for Mane, 66): Hardly a touch despite Liverpool’s complete dominance. 6
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (on for Henderson, 73): Busy as always. 6
Divock Origi (on for Jota, 89): N/A
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