Porto v Liverpool Prediction: Host to test Klopp's men at the Estádio do Dragão

I don’t know about you but I feel this fixture happens every single UEFA Champions League season. The Estadio do Dragao will be as intimidating as it sounds with Porto fans providing a hostile atmosphere and will be hopeful too after seeing their side keep three home clean sheets in a row in the UCL.

Liverpool come into this one sitting top of the table in both the Premier League and the UCL group stages (undefeated in all comps W6 D2). As mentioned, I feel the game has taken place regularly and Liverpool are unbeaten vs Porto under Jurgen Klopp, winning 3, drawing 1 and scoring an impressive 11 goals. However, despite the complete head to head dominance, I am expecting a tighter game in this affair.

Porto can take confidence from their point away to La Liga champions Atletico Madrid and build on it for this tie. Brentford hitting 12 v Liverpool shows they can be got at and what a strong home support can do in order to spur a side on and that’s exactly the type of atmosphere I am expecting Porto to have here. Furthermore, Liverpool have conceded 10 shots in 3 of their 4 away games in all comps (9 v Leeds who had a red card after 60 mins).

Taremi had 3 shots in the opening group stage game against an Atletico Madrid side who don’t concede many shots, especially at home. He has scored 3 goals in his last 3 games in all competitions so comes into this tie in fine form. The Iranian hit 2 shots v Chelsea in a 27 min substitute appearance in last seasons UCL. He also hit 2 in both games v Juventus in last seasons UCL. High chance on Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk missing which increases both Taremi’s chances and any potential goal kicks.

Reasons already given for both above as I expect a weaker Liverpool side, at least enough for Porto to show enough strong attacking intentions against. I have also included the addition of 2 player cards. One being James Milner, who was fortunate to not receive a booking vs Crystal Palace when filling in at RB which he is likely to do so today against the lively Diaz for Porto. The second being Gruijic, the former Liverpool player is aggressive in his character and with having a point to prove could easily over do it and lose control of his emotions in such an electric atmosphere.