The Liverpool fans here in the Transfer Tavern are gearing up for a last 16 match against FC Porto tonight after a relatively good run of form in recent weeks. Indeed, their routine win over Southampton on Sunday was the ideal warm-up for their attacking stars.
Liverpool will be looking to continue the stunning form that saw them remain unbeaten in the group stages, alongside finding the net 23 times in the six matches. The Reds have the ability to blow any team away and that’s exactly what Jurgen Klopp will be looking for tonight, in a bid to bring some kind of advantage back to Anfield for the return leg.
Our regulars have enjoyed watching Liverpool this season, however, are very mindful that a second-half collapse much like that against Sevilla can happen at any point if they self-destruct.
With defensive reinforcements brought in and a re-jig of players after the sale of Philippe Coutinho, Klopp will be expecting his players to level up and our landlord takes a look at which TWO players, in particular, should be the difference…
Virgil Van Dijk
The big Dutch defender should get his first taste of Champions League football with Liverpool tonight. The £75m signing is the rock Klopp has been looking for to organise and sort out his defence, though needs a big performance after some rocky outings thus far.
Van Dijk must put in an almighty display tonight if he his to start to justify his price tag, helping give the team a boost from the back.
Our barman thinks if Van Dijk can come out of Portugal with a clean sheet and a good personal performance, then it will give him the confidence boost he’ll need to really need to kick on.
Mo Salah
The Egyptian is one of the sole reasons Liverpool have been playing the way they have this season! He’s helped himself to a record number of goals so far and doesn’t look like stopping, constantly breaking behind enemy lines to scare the life out of opposition defences.
If Liverpool are to get anything out of this game, then Salah needs to produce one of his now expected performances. Our regulars tip Salah to hit stupid goal scoring figures this season if he continues on his current trajectory and that can only benefit the Reds.
