Liverpool vs Porto: Player ratings as Keita and Firmino goals give Reds big advantage

Goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino gave Liverpool a big advantage in their Champions League quarter-final against Porto.

Keita, who replaced the injured Gini Wijnaldum in midfield, opened the scoring with a deflected shot from the edge of the box before Brazilian forward Firmino doubled the lead after neat interplay from Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Porto had their chances to get into the game in an action-packed first-half, with star forward Moussa Marega missing two glorious opportunities, and they could have had a penalty when the ball hit Alexander-Arnold’s arm in the box from short range.

The second-half was less frenetic than the first with Porto appearing happy to settle for the two-goal deficit, although Mohamed Salah was fortunate not to be sent off for a studs up challenge in the closing stages.

Liverpool

Alisson: Endured a shaky game against Spurs last time out at Anfield but better here. Made crucial save at 2-0 to deny Marega and maintain Liverpool dominance 7/10

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Brilliantly timed run and weighted ball to set up Firmino for Liverpool’s second. Solid for rest of night 7/10

James Milner: Left-back clearly not his best position but teed up opener with smart interception and ensured suspended Andy Robertson was not badly missed 7/10

Dejan Lovren: Returned to starting line-up for first time since January but looked like he had never left and imposed himself well on Moussa Marega 7/10

Virgil van Dijk: Cleared well when under pressure Moussa Marega and leader of defence that kept relatively comfortable clean sheet 7/10

Fabinho: Beacon of calm in midfield allowed Keita and Henderson to flourish 7/10

Jordan Henderson: Inspired presence in midfield. Delightful slide-rule pass to tee up Alexander-Arnold’s assist for the second and nearly set up another 9/10

Naby Keita: Started brightly by winning ball in midfield and continued in that vein throughout. Fortunate deflection for opener but he won’t mind 8/10

Sadio Mane: Took a couple of heavy knocks in first-half. Unlucky to have goal ruled out for narrow offside. Replaced with 20 minutes remaining 7/10

Mohamed Salah: Tireless effort encapsulated by moment he popped up at left-back to win ball. Looked too much for the Porto defence but missed chances to score 7/10

Roberto Firmino: Showed selfless excellence to set up Keita before being selfishly clever enough to keep himself onside in build-up to Liverpool’s second 9/10