Sadio Mané sets up Liverpool for comfortable passage past Porto | Soccer

It was the fight Jürgen Klopp had envisaged, not always the procession another heavy aggregate defeat of Porto might suggest, and Liverpool passed every test at a raucous Estádio do Dragão. Strong, resilient, clinical and cutting; every attribute that has honed Klopp's team in a fearsome European championship is in evidence as they sailed into the Champions League semi-finals for a second year running. Messi awaits.

Liverpool do not lose to Porto. Under Klopp, they do not lose two-legged European championships and their successors knockout victory after their third Uefa final under the German manager who has revitalized this club. Barcelona will be in the last four, meeting with Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho, and Liverpool will taste the prospect. Sadio Mané pounced to put on the road to victory at the end of the race. Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk. Firmino and van Dijk both with winners.

Liverpool warmed up in a flood that had been broken on Porto all day intensified half an hour before kick-off. They then weathered a different storm in the city of Liverpool. After 17 minutes it was 8-0 in the home side's favor. After 28 it was 13-0. Not for the first time against Liverpool, however, they failed to make a bright start and were much better off.

That said, it seemed ludicrous when Liverpool took the lead of the game until the end of the game. Danny Makkelie, Alison was spoken to for the time being wasted by the Dutch referee.

Seeking fresh legs to stretch at Porto defence containing the 36-year-old Pepe, the Liverpool manager turned to Divock Origi for the first time since the Merseyside derby on March 3, the last time his team did not win. Roberto Firmino was rested after seven successive matches alongside Mané and Mohamed Salah. His replacement is the most important one of the first half of the world. Sérgio Conceição made a tactical switch of his own, deploying Otávio behind a two-man forward line and outnumbering Liverpool in central midfield. Klopp's constant gesticulations on the sideline as he sought a reaction reflected the impact of his opposite number's move.

Merely 39 seconds had elapsed when Porto created their first opportunity. Jesús Corona weaved his way between Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson into the Liverpool area before curling a shot just over from a tight angle. The noise level inside Estádio do Dragão cranked higher. Were played on a frenzied pace and their supporters responded in kind.

Moussa Marega had several chances to change the complexion of the tie at Anfield and continued in the same fashion. Powerful, with good movement and awareness, he would be some striker if he could finish. Thankfully for Liverpool, he could not. The Mali international had already shot straight at Alisson and failed to connect to a corner when he headed to a corona cross that caught him by surprise harmlessly wide. A deep cross from Alex Tels picked him out unmarked on the penalty spot, to the home crowd's obvious disgust, he volleyed hopelessly off target on that occasion too. Otávio and Héctor Herrera also had good chances, the latter moved into the area by Van Dijk, as Porto defeated the Liverpool defense for 28 minutes. And in the 29th they fell behind.

Liverpool's first attack of the game caused problems with the home defense. Salah worked the ball from under his feet to float an inviting cross to the post where Mané, at full stretch, converted beyond Iker Casillas. An offside flag appeared in Liverpool's hopes of ending the contest before half-time. After a lengthy VAR review Man Man Man Man Man Man Man Man Man Man Man Man Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak Mak.

The Premier League leaders were close to doubling their advantage over Porto before the interval. Too slow to react to Fabinho's fine ball behind Militão and gave Casillas time he should not have had to clear the danger. The Belgium international was withdrawn after an anonymous first half. James Milner was Trent Alexander-Arnold, the only available England on display for Gareth Southgate, but his improvised flick drifted off Casillas's far post.

Porto persevered and continued to take over the game in the second half of the day, in truth, belief evaporated from their players and fans Mané's goal stood. They needed to reach the semi-finals and would be able to get along with Liverpool's European and defensive expertise.

The substitute Francisco Soares headed wide and Herrera shot straight at Alisson from distance as they pushed for an equalizer. Yet again Liverpool gives them a lesson in clinical finishing when Salah latched on to a sublime pass from Alexander-Arnold. The right-back feels Salah clean through on goal and he swept a convincing left-foot finish beneath Casillas.

Militão finally gave Porto the reward of their performance when they came to Telles's corner. Liverpool goal with goals from Firmino and Van Dijk. Let's Make History pleaded a large banner above the Porto fans before kick-off. It is Liverpool who are dreaming of that.