Liverpool: This is the alternative back four we want against Porto
By David Gate
Liverpool are hosting Porto on Tuesday after a huge first leg away win. This is the alternative back four we want to see in the Champions League.
This is a good moment at Liverpool. The Reds are unbeaten in Europe this season and have only lost once in the last 20 Premier League games. One of the most impressive results of that run was the 5-0 first leg away win against FC Porto in the Champions League. It has put the Reds into a dominate position and given Jurgen Klopp an interesting decision to make.
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Ordinarily the manager would put out his best side in the only competition that Liverpool could still win. However, the Reds are heading to Old Trafford on Saturday in a crucial Premier League game in the top four race and vying for second in the league.
The team will have to be strong enough to not allow Porto to grab an early goal and give them a glimmer of hope.
It will also have to contain enough attacking threat to make Porto have second thoughts about committing everyone to attack. They Liverpool team needs to retain a measure of threat on the counter attack.
An early goal for the Reds will kill all hope in their opponents. It is possible that Porto may already see the tie as over. They are in a title race for the Primeira Liga and may want to rest players who are carrying injuries.
The heavy five goal advantage will allow Klopp to make some rotations. He has already indicated that some first-teamers may start on the bench. With that in mind, this is the back four we want to see against Porto on Tuesday: