Thiago’s classy drive as he now starts to motor
STAR HITTING NEW GEAR WITH REDS
A BEAR hug from Jurgen Klopp was the reward for Thiago when he came off after his starring role.
The Liverpool manager would love to be giving him one every week. Reds fans will hope he can stay injury free to deliver many more of these performances.
Liverpool had nothing to play for but the midfielder was out to give another display that showed why so many are still excited about what he can do in a red shirt.
It was not just his stunning strike which helped maintain his side’s 100 percent record in the Champions League this season which stood out.
It was also his presence in midfield, his array of passing, how he helped teenager Tyler Morton through the game and how he made crucial interceptions.
Mo Salah got the second to see off the visitors and ensure the Reds’ fifth win in Europe this season.
It has not been an easy start to life in Liverpool for Thiago since his arrival from Bayern Munich last year. There have been games where he has impressed and moments of brilliance but never that real consistency that made him so coveted across Europe.
But now surely he can find that form regularly to become a vital cog in the Red machine.
This game did not really count for Liverpool. Four wins from their previous four games in Group B means they are heading to the knockout stages.
But try telling Morton it did not matter. The 19-year-old midfielder got the chance to make his Champions League debut under the Anfield lights. Porto still have hopes of qualification and should have been in front after 12 minutes. Evanilson ran through after Ibrahima Konate lost the ball. The
Porto forward squared it to Otavio but he somehow shanked it wide. Sadio Mane thought he had Liverpool in front before the break with a cool finish after Thiago had threaded a ball through.
But VAR overruled it for offside. Thiago was keen to impress again after a fine display against Arsenal on Saturday. Injuries and Covid-19 have not helped but Klopp will be hoping this is a sign he could really make an impact this season. And Thiago broke the deadlock with a stunning finish in the 52nd minute. Alex OxladeChamberlain’s free-kick was cleared but only into the path of the Spain star.
Thiago watched it all the way and then drilled it low past a helpless Diogo Costa from 30 yards. The second came from Salah. Morton found him with a superb long ball forward before the Egyptian played a one-two with Jordan Henderson.
Salah then shuffled inside the area before find the net and the result was put beyond doubt with 20 minutes to go.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson 7; N Williams 7, Matip 6, Konate 6, Tsimikas 7 (Robertson 63, 6); OxladeChamberlain 7 (Milner 82), Morton 7, Thiago 8 (Henderson 63, 6); Salah 8 (Fabinho 71), Minamino 6, Mane 7 (Origi 71). Goals: Thiago 52, Salah 70. PORTO (4-4-2): Costa 5; Joao Mario 6, Pepe 5 (Cardoso 25, 6), Mbemba 6, Sanusi 6; Otavio 5, Uribe 6 (Grujic 78), Oliveira 6 (Vitinha 64, 6), Diaz 6; Taremi 5 (Conceicao 64, 6), Evanilson 6 (Martinez 77).