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Liverpool v Porto preview: Jurgen Klopp to make only 'two or three' changes

PORTO, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 14:  Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring the 2nd goal with Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions Leag
Image: Liverpool head into their Champions League last-16 second leg with a 5-0 advantage

Jurgen Klopp insists he will only make "two or three changes" to Liverpool's side for their Champions League last-16 second leg against Porto on Tuesday despite the 5-0 advantage.

The Premier League club are in a strong position to reach the quarter-final after their dominant performance in Portugal last month, but Klopp said they cannot afford to relax.

Klopp says he will make up to three changes to the XI which beat Newcastle 2-0 on Saturday, with Manchester United up next at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp
Image: Jurgen Klopp insists he won't make wholesale changes

The German said: "We are in a moment in the league where we all have to deliver, play consistently, stuff like that. You don't rotate to avoid something, you only use the players which are in the best shape. If there will be a different line-up to Saturday.

"If there will be a different line-up it'll be only because we want to win the game and no other reason. That's what I meant when I said we will not rest players. We will maybe make one, two or three changes or so, but only to win the game."

Klopp also expects a "hurt" Porto to field their strongest side, despite the 5-0 deficit.

"I expect a strong line-up, I expect that they want to show a real reaction, that they will want to hurt us in a football way. That's what I expect, nothing else."

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Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle

Team news

For Liverpool, Gini Wijnaldum and Ben Woodburn could make an appearance after missing Saturday's 2-0 win over Newcastle due to illness. Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana could also be in contention.

Tiquinho Soares, Moussa Marega and Alex Telles could all miss out for Porto after missing their win over Sporting Lisbon on Friday.

Opta stats

  • No team has ever progressed to the next round following a 0-5 home defeat in the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie.
  • Liverpool are unbeaten against Porto, having played them five times in all competitions (W3 D2).
  • Their only previous encounter in the knockout stages of a European competition was in 2000/01 in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals. Liverpool won 2-0 on aggregate and went on to lift the trophy later that season.
  • Liverpool are one of three unbeaten teams in this season's Champions League group stages, alongside Barcelona and Tottenham.
  • Liverpool have never lost by more than two clear goals at Anfield in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Charlie's prediction

Well it is done and dusted and I think Jurgen Klopp will make several changes ahead of Saturday's showdown with Manchester United, when they hold an advantage as Jose Mourinho will have a tight second leg with Sevilla in the back of his mind.

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Klopp speaks to the press before Tuesday's clash

I'd expect Dominic Solanke to play, Adam Lallana will be a certainty to play, perhaps into a more advanced role, while Sadio Mane will probably be the only one of their regular front three to play, for maybe 65 minutes, with Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino handed well-deserved rests.

James Milner will most likely playing central and with him back on penalties I'd see him a value pick to score the first goal.

Liverpool do have good momentum so I would expect them to get another win, but I can't see it being one of their classic sparkling performances.

Charlie predicts: 2-0 and Milner to score first (66/1 with Sky Bet)

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