Liverpool’s hopes of winning the English Premier League title for the first time in 29 years are very much alive thanks a stirring second half performance against Chelsea and a sublime long-range strike from Mohamed Salah.In what had been a tense and closely fought encounter, Sadio Mane opened the scoring for the Anfield club with a back post header shortly after halftime. But it was Salah who provided the game’s outstanding moment and arguably one of the goals of this Premier League season.
The Egyptian was quiet on that day but has gone on to become one of the most deadly strikers in the English league since signing for Liverpool in 2017. The Egyptian picked the ball up on the right of the Chelsea box in the 53rd minute and arrowed a rasping, unstoppable drive beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga from 25-yards to secure a 2-0 victory and three precious points.
FC Porto vs Liverpool Prediction
Of all the teams in Quarter Finals, only Liverpool has suitably taken advantage of the first leg. Their two-goal aggregate lead will be massive as they travel to take on Porto. The hosts have no other option but to leave space at the back and attack. The trio of Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah, and Roberto Firminho, who have pace in abundance, will need only a decent chance created by their mid-field to find the back of the net.
Once Liverpool finds an away goal, the task of Porto becomes even harder. They do not have an away goal, and the team has to beat the Reds on aggregate. This situation will leave them totally vulnerable at the back and will lead to more goals by Jurgen Klopp’s side. Meanwhile, the Virgil Van Dijk-captained iron defense of the guests will deal with the Porto onslaught.
Mohamed Salah said he was so far out that he felt had to go with just “power” when speaking to UK broadcaster Sky Sports after the match. The goal was also the first Salah had scored from outside of the penalty box in the Premier League for more than a year. Liverpool were accused of throwing it away back then. They cannot be accused of the same five years on as they are on course to reach 97 points which, incredibly, may only be enough for second place.
That all comes down to Manchester City and how they hold their nerve, with big matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United to come for the defending champions. Liverpool, by comparison, face Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in their remaining matches.The pressure will be on Jurgen Klopp‘s men in each of those games, as will be the case at the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday. Unlike their remaining four league matches, though, Liverpool can afford to draw – or indeed lose by a single goal – and still march on against Porto.That is not to say Klopp can afford to make mass changes to his side, knowing just how easy it is for Liverpool’s season to crumble with one negative result. They would not be the first side to challenge for multiple honours in the closing stages of the season, only to finish trophiless.The two-goal margin of victory last week leaves the visitors in a very strong position, though, and history suggests that they should see the job through in Portugal.
Liverpool have progressed from all nine of their previous two-legged European ties under manager Klopp – four in the 2015-16 Europa League, one 2017-18 Champions League playoff and four Champions League knockout stage ties.Maintain that run on Wednesday and it will be difficult for supporters not to get carried away.