JURGEN KLOPP FELT Liverpool’s ever-increasing Champions League experience was vital in their 6-1 aggregate quarter-final win over Porto, and dubbed his side “special” after they secured a semi-final place for the second consecutive season.
The Reds are the only side among 2017-18′s semi-finalists to return to the last four this season and they progressed in some style as Porto were brushed aside 4-1 in the second leg at Estadio do Dragao.
Sadio Mane’s second goal in as many games opened the scoring and there were further strikes from Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool absorbed plenty of Porto pressure while being ruthless in attack.
The introduction of Jordan Henderson and Firmino in the second half seemed to knock the last bit of steam out of Porto, and Klopp told BT Sport it was part of his game plan to have their fresh legs in reserve.
“In the second half it was clear that the energy level would drop a little bit for Porto so we could control the game much more and score the goals,” said Klopp.
“It was clear the tempo would be lower because they couldn’t cope with the tempo they had in the first 30 minutes. That was why we wanted to do it like this, so we could bring on Bobby [Firmino] and Hendo [Henderson] as well.
“We are more and more experienced, that’s clear. We have had difficult away games at [Manchester] City last year, in Rome last year, and we knew this would be the same. They are a different animal in home games and it was clear we had to be ready for that.
“I think we are the only ones who were in the semi-finals last year and in the semi-finals again. That’s really special for us.”
Looking ahead to the clash with Barcelona, Klopp added: “It’s the first time for me to play them, apart from a friendly and of course we are looking forward to that.”
It maintains Klopp’s remarkable record in Europe: he has yet to lose a two-legged European tie as Liverpool manager, across either the Europa League or the Champions League.
Jordan Henderson, meanwhile, was warming up on the touchline when Mane put Liverpool in front on the night, and he said the decision to award the goal despite an initial offside flag was correct in his view.
“I thought [Mane's goal] was a goal to be honest, thankfully it was given and that gave us a real boost coming in at half-time,” said Henderson.
“It was tough but that’s what we expected. We had to be ready from the start, we dug in really well, they had some half chances and it was difficult in the first half.”
Liverpool are away at Cardiff City next as their Premier League title push continues, and Henderson said there is plenty of belief in the squad.
“We believe but we’ve got to keep working hard,” he said. “We try to give everything and be horrible to play against.”
no Conway is the man. fast can tackle & safe hands under a high ball
@john fleming: shtop.
@john fleming: Ha ha ha
He’s too dangerous a finisher to take off the wing. I’d like to see Stockdale-Lowe-Larmour next season
@Rudiger McMonihan: Lowe is qualified?
@Rudiger McMonihan: that would be a ridiculous backline
@Rudiger McMonihan: oh Jesus Christ !!!!
@Bluepoolroad: after the world cup
I think it’s November 2020 before he qualifies
@Rudiger McMonihan: Keith Earls won’t be pushed out that easily.
@Rudiger McMonihan: Jesus did earl’s steal your wife or something
@Padraic Burke: Earls isn’t half the player that Lowe is.
Earl’s is much older and in a years time it is unlikely that he will still be the best winger. If he is then fair play to him. I hope I’m proven wrong!
@Baz Dunne: your right. He’s twice the player.
@Anthony:
For Leinster the qualification of Jamison Gibson-Park at the end of 2019 will mean J Lowe should become a regular because that 2 into 3 problem will be gone. But it will not be till next year that he could qualifie (if he wants to go for a place in the Ireland setup)
A fine player but Earls is the man !!
@Baz Dunne: And you’re clearly not half the expert you think you are.
@Bluepoolroad: yes Lowe can play I. Next 6nations I think … has to be in the mix as does Adam Byrne I think if he keeps progressing post the Kearney, Earls era
Is there anything to be said for Simon Zebo?
@southside: No
@southside: if he comes back then absolutely
@Rudiger McMonihan: Zebo shouldn’t have to come back to qualify. He is 1/2 French and has chosen to experience that culture. Should that restrict his eligibility?? NO
Bad example but Imagine telling Irish soccer players plying their trade in England you need to play in the league of Ireland.
Zebo record try scorer for Munster
Was on shortlist in his 1 season for Top 14 player of the year. Of course he should be considered.
@southside: yeah get lost Simon
@T Meister: yes it most certainly should restrict it. We need to protect our provincial game because at the moment it’s working. Look at how bad the French team are because they have no control over french club players
@T Meister: I can’t believe we’re STILL having the Zebo conversation.
@Anthony:
So should Sexton have been dropped too?
@The Great Unwashed:
Different times my friend and all gone over many many times .
@Anthony: FREEDOM of choice for ALL.
Best players who qualify for this country should be considered. Provinces should stand on their own merits encourage Irish players to stay but not the detriment of the National Side being able to choose The Best 15.
@Martin Quinn:
Not different times at all. The ‘rule’ applied to players before Sexton and after Sexton, so why didn’t it apply to Sexton himself?
You can’t have a policy and then choose to disregard it when it’s inconvenient – either it’s the policy or it isn’t.
@The Great Unwashed: maybe you should change your name to the great uneducated, this was enforced because of sexton.
@Chris Mc:
What does that even mean? The policy was there long before Sexton moved to Racing, so why wasn’t it applied to him as it was applied to other players who moved overseas?
@The Great Unwashed: I know the reason as you certainly do by the question you asked and for THIS reply to be published this is all I can say.
No.
His a winger.
Stick to players playing in there natural position. Instead of fannying about.
@Paddy Waggon: played u20 at full back and pretty impressive at that
@Kevin Donnelly: why was he moved to the wing so .
@Paddy Waggon: To get game time in a position which is not as challenging for a young inexperienced player. He will be Ulster’s 15 for years to come imo
Even though his defence has improved over the past 12 months, it remains the weakest part of his game. At 15 he could be exposed by all of the open ground as opposed to being able to use the touchline as an extra defender. It could improve for pro14 level but I don’t think he could manage international.
@Declan Snow: It’s his defensive positioning and reads that have let him down, rather than his tackle technique. At 15 he’ll only really be needed to shut someone down when they break the line and he has the speed to do it. Would really like to see him there.
The thoughts of a Stockdale, Lowe, Larmour back 3 going into the next world cup cycle is mouth watering!
I’d prefer to see Larmour getting some serious game time back there!
He needs to be given a few games on the run
@Aaron Tynan: In what aspect(s) of his game is Jordan better than Jacob?
@Bluepoolroad: actually grounding the ball for one
@John Keenan: savage
@John Keenan: that was harsh now in fairness.
@Stephen Foster: funny tho
@Bluepoolroad:
Knowing when to pass.
I think everyone is forgetting about Addison. I think he will have a say in that back 3 over the next 4 – 8 years.
Stockdale can’t / won’t pass.
You need a 15 that can pass.
@Bungee Aky: so Rob Lyttle got the ball by telepathy on Friday night?
@Ian Frizzell: you said it
@Bungee Aky: Rob “Straightens the line” Kearney never saw a ball he couldnt run into the first chaser with
@Bungee Aky: Kearney is knowing for his passing rather than his running into contact ;-)
@Bungee Aky: also a dodgy defender
@Kevin Donnelly: In what alternate universe is that true?
I never feel confident that he will catch a high contested ball in game.
The question is, who will be fb come world cup
Henshaw is our best natural fullback, I hope Joe sticks with him in the warm ups.
@Rochelle: showed against england he has almost no positional sense to defend the chip over the top. If he isnt playing 15 for leinster (he wont be) its a non runner for Ire
@Rochelle: He is in his hoop
@Kazoochka: bovine excrement! He covered as well as anyone would have with that defensive set up. Even with the tweaks that followed RK with all his experience was caught several times v Italy. Give players that much time to look up and pick and choose their kicks and with nobody else dropping into the backfield the best 15 in the world would have struggled. England just out gunned us tactically and broke our defence down, I wouldn’t go pointing the finger at any one player.
@Kazoochka: both Earls and Stockdale made horrible calls in the game and expecting an full back to read those is a bit much.
Larmour is prob next in line, he still has a lot of learning to do in my opinion. There are a lot of times in games where his decision making with ball in hand gets him (team) in trouble. No doubting his ability but sometimes he should just take the direct line of contact and get go forward rather than trying to jink statically around guys and then get pushed back a few meters
Well itd be interesting. Hes a tall lad so fielding wouldnt be an issue. In terms of speed hes very quick as well. But is he too tqll that hes an easier target?
Worth a try at least.
I’d much rather keep him on the wing. It’s a pity Haley has taken the fullback position at Munster as I believe Conway is our best all rounded fullback in the country. While larmour and Addison have still to add to their game, I believe Conway has all the right attributes to make a top quality fullback at international level.
@Anthony O Connell: Conway has never really claimed the Munster 15 shirt and always seems to be injured when the internationals come around. He’s no spring chicken either.
You shut up.
I’m Eoin McLove.
I can do what I lie!