Sharma ‘honoured’ by Masters invite
LIVERPOOL eased into the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in nine years with no great alarm in a lifeless goalless draw at home to Porto.
This game was the antithesis of their 5-0 win in the first leg at the Estadio do Dragao, but a professional performance, a fifth clean sheet in eight European matches and no apparent injuries represented mission accomplished.
While supporters may have had a justifiable complaint for being short-changed by the Champions League’s top scorers, from Jurgen Klopp’s point of view there was no point in taking any risks – especially with Saturday lunchtime’s match at Manchester United looming large.
Manager Jurgen Klopp admitted: “It was not the most exciting game, we had a few chances but didn’t score.
“I am very sure it’s very rare to have a game like this (when 5-0 ahead). We had to be serious, we were. I wanted to win (tonight), it’s a knock-out but the boys did really well.”
Captain Jordan Henderson said progress was all that counted on a muted night at Anfield.
The England international said: “We’re through to the next round and that’s the most important thing.
“We wanted to win but we got through.”
The Reds face arch rivals Manchester United next, with Henderson saying a dead leg is not troubling him, adding: “This is the business end of the season.
“The next few months are important, we have big games coming up, we have to keep working hard and the results will come.
“We’ve got a great bunch of lads, togetherness, everyone works as hard as they possibly can. “Our attitude was first-class.” Whether alterations, the five-goal cushion from the first leg or the imminent visit to Old Trafford affected the occasion is open to debate, but the game was played at a much lower intensity that what is considered the norm. It was reflected in the first-half statistics which showed Liverpool failed to have a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes for only the second time this season.
Sadio Mane, having volleyed over a good chance from Joe Gomez’s cross, came closest on the half-hour when he chested down James Milner’s diagonal ball and shot past Iker Casillas, making his 167th Champions League appearance, but saw the ball rebound off the post. Lovren flicked a header onto the roof of the net from a free-kick by Milner, who with better finishing from his team-mates would have added to his competition-leading seven assists.
Holders Real Madrid are also into the last eight after a 2-1 win at 10-man Paris St Germain.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 12th goal in the competition and Casemiro’s late strike ensured Zinedine Zidane’s side progressed 5-2 on aggregate in the French capital last night.
Leading 3-1 from the first leg, Real never looked in danger against the sedate hosts despite Edinson Cavani’s fortunate second-half equaliser.
India’s Shubhankar Sharma has accepted an invitation to make his major championship debut in the Masters, tournament officials have announced.
Sharma, 21, has won twice on the European Tour this season and finished ninth in the WGC-Mexico Championship on Sunday after leading by two shots heading into the final round.
Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, said in a statement: “Golf is a global game and throughout our history we have extended invitations to deserving international players not otherwise qualified.
“As his results have proven, Shubhankar Sharma is a remarkable young player and we look forward to welcoming him to Augusta National in April.”
Sharma is currently ranked 66th in the world and could still qualify automatically for the Masters by moving into the top 50 by March 26.
Sharma said on Twitter: “I am deeply honoured to be found worthy of invitation by the Masters Committee. It’s a dream come true. My gratitude.”