FC Porto 0-5 Liverpool: Player ratings

FC Porto 0 - 5 Liverpool (Mane 25' 53' 85', Salah 28', Firmino 69')

Liverpool put in one of their best away performances in the Champions League as they completely destroyed FC Porto at the Estadio Do Dragao. The terrific trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane all got on the scoresheet as Liverpool all but confirmed a place in the Champions League last 8.

While the Reds were undoubtedly in top form, the Portuguese giants had a miserable day with their defence and midfield often making schoolboy errors. The Liverpool defence was solid throughout and managed to keep a clean sheet as well which would definitely have pleased Jurgen Klopp.

Without much ado, let us take a look at the player ratings for both Porto and Liverpool:

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FC Porto

The scoreboard tells the whole story

Jose Sa - 3/10

The young Portuguese goalkeeper had a miserable night as he was at fault for letting Sadio Mane's opening goal squirm in. Porto never really recovered from that opening blow and Sa will be disappointed with his performance last night.

Ricardo Periera - 4/10

The 24-year-old full-back was tossed and turned by Mane the entire night. He really struggled to keep up with the Senegalese's pace and tricks.

Ivan Marcano - 5/10

Although Porto did let in 5 goals, he was their best defender on the night as he made some crucial clearances in the first half. If it was not for Marcano, Liverpool might have scored 6 or 7!

Diego Reyes - 4/10

The Porto centre-back was often dragged out of position and he struggled to deal with the intelligent runs of Firmino, Mane, and Salah throughout the night.

Alex Telles - 5/10

Although Alex Telles put in a few good corners, defensively he was not at all at the top of his game as he often was left behind by Salah's pace. Offensively good, defensively terrible on the night.

Sergio Oliviera - 5/10

The Porto midfielder worked hard throughout the game, but he was just not given enough time on the ball by the constant pressing of Henderson and Co. Oliviera remained fairly anonymous throughout the match.

Hector Herrera - 4/10

Herrera was often crowded out at the centre of the pitch and he struggled to find a way through the Liverpool defence. He was almost non-existent as a creative force.

Otavio da Silva - 5/10

The attacking midfielder came up with some moments of magic in the first half, but he could not influence the game strongly. He was taken off in the 46th minute.

Moussa Marega - 6/10

Marega caused quite a few problems to the Liverpool defence

The lone bright spot in the Porto team last night, Marega made some extremely tricky runs in the first half though he faded away in the second half. He looked the most likely candidate to cause the Liverpool defence some problems last night.

Yacine Brahimi - 5/10

With Aboubakar injured, a lot was expected from Yacine Brahimi. However, the Algerian was shepherded excellently by Trent Alexander-Arnold and he failed to influence the Porto attack in a telling way.

Tiquinho Soares - 5/10

Tiquinho made some interesting runs but he was not picked out by his teammates. Missed a glorious chance at 2-0 as he dragged his left-footed shot just wide of Karius' goal.

Substitutes

Jesus Corona - 4/10

Came on in the 46th minute for Otavio. Corona had a game to forget as he often misplaced simple passes and gave the ball back to Liverpool on plenty of occasions.

Abdul Waris - 5/10

The striker came on for Brahimi in the 62nd minute. Waris worked hard and ran the channels, but he struggled to trouble the likes of Van Dijk and Lovren.

Goncalo Paciencia - N/A

He came on in the 76th minute and did not have much time to make a mark on this game.

Liverpool

Liverpool put in a complete team performance

Loris Karius - 7/10

Firmly established as Liverpool's number 1, the German shot-stopper was calm and composed when he was called upon. He made a couple of routine saves and his distribution was very good last night

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7/10

Still only 19, the young right-back grew after a tough opening 5 minutes to completely neutralise the threat of Brahimi. A very impressive and mature performance by the Liverpool right-back.

Virgil van Dijk - 8/10

The world's most expensive defender showed his class last night as he marshalled the defence excellently along with Lovren. The Netherlands international was solid throughout the night and played a couple of delightful passes as well.

Dejan Lovren - 8/10

Klopp decided to start with Lovren ahead of Matip last night and the move definitely paid off. The Croatian was in fine form last night and completely neutralised the threat of Tiquinho.

Andy Robertson - 7/10

The young left-back put in another solid performance for Liverpool as he ran tirelessly down the flanks. He was excellent defensively and worked hard throughout the match.

Jordan Henderson - 6/10

The Liverpool captain kept things simple throughout as he played some easy passes and kept the ball well. He did some extremely good defensive work in the first 20 minutes of the match.

Gini Wijnaldum - 8/10

Started the match off slowly, but once he got into his stride, he completely bossed the midfield for Liverpool. Wijnaldum made some very good runs into the box and he also set up Mane's first goal.

James Milner - 8/10

The unsung hero of last night, Milner almost put in a flawless performance, He barely made a mistake last night and his tunning curled shot cannoned off the post and allowed Salah to score the second goal of the night.

Mohamed Salah - 9/10

Salah just can't stop scoring

The Egyptian forward continued his stunning goalscoring form as he scored his 30th goal of this season last night. He showed excellent composure to grab his goal and worked incredibly hard off the ball as well. Definitely the signing of the season.

Roberto Firmino - 8/10

The Brazilian has really come into his own this season. Even though he had a relatively quiet game, Firmino managed to get a goal of his own. He also hounded and pressed the Porto defence throughout the night and caused them innumerable problems.

Sadio Mane - 9.5/10

Sadio Mane was on fire last night!

The Senegalese winger has struggled a bit recently, but he answered his critics in perfect style last night by grabbing a hattrick. Working hard throughout the night, Mane was always in the right position at the right time and his goals have almost ensured Liverpool's progress to the last 8.

Substitutes

Joel Matip - N/A

Came on for Jordan Henderson in the 75th minute. The big Cameroonian centre-back was hardly put under pressure by the tiring Porto attack.

Joe Gomez - N/A

Replaced the impressive Alexander-Arnold in the 79th minute. It was a run out to build and improve on his fitness.

Danny Ings - N/A

Although he only came on in the 80th minute, Ings looked sharp and willing and even grabbed an assist for Sadio Mane's third goal.