We Con’ pull off a shock result
SERGIO CONCEICAO says his underdogs will try to target Liverpool’s weaknesses to spring a Champions League shock tonight.
The past four meetings between the clubs, in 2018 and 2019, have seen Porto concede 11 goals and score just one, having lost the home legs 5- 0 and 4-1.
Porto boss Conceicao said while little had altered in Jurgen Klopp’s squad, only a handful of his players remain.
“Since 2019 they have lost ( Dejan) Lovren and (Georginio) Wijnaldum,” he said. “We were left with three.
“The fact that they stay together is very important in a competition like this.
“We can highlight numerous theoretical differences, such as the fact that our budget is 20-30 per cent of Liverpool’s, but that will not come into play.
“We have to be as competitive as Liverpool, an opponent who, for me, is the best team in the world at some moments.
“It’s up to us to counter that opponent’s power and expose some weaknesses, because they also exist.
Strategy
“What comes in is the preparation of the game, the strategy we define and the way we are going to be organised.
Klopp is not concerned about his side’s defending as they head to Porto for their second Champions League group match.
The Premier League leaders’ wild 3-3 draw at Premier League newcomers Brentford on
Saturday was the first time they had conceded three in a match since the European defeat to Real Madrid in April.
“It’s not that much of a concern because I don’t think you should make these things bigger than they are but we have to show a reaction, that’s for sure,” said Klopp before the squad flew out to Portugal.
“It’s really tricky to win a football game when you are not defending on your highest level and that’s what we didn’t do.”