Liverpool host the Primeira Liga Champions Porto on Tuesday night under the lights at Anfield in the Champions League quarter final.
The reds faced the Portuguese Champions last season in the round of 16 stage, winning the tie 5-0 over the two legs.
With Liverpool involved in the most gripping Premier League title race in years, it is easy to forget the job that Klopp’s men have done in Europe this year, beating some of Europe’s best in Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
Sandwiched between the two legs against Porto is the small deal of Premier League game against Chelsea on Sunday which is an enormous game for Liverpool, if they are to go all the way and be crowned Premier League Champions in May.
The Reds still have the chance to do the double this season, and if they can negotiate their way past Sergio Conceicao’s side then Liverpool would either face Manchester United or Barcelona in the Semi final of Europe’s most prestige competition.
We have decided to take a look before tomorrows game of some of the best games against Portuguese sides over the years.
Febuary 2018: Porto 0 -5 Liverpool
The 14th of February 2018; the day Liverpool fans’ dream of reaching the Champions League final took a huge step to becoming a reality.
The last 16 tie was done and dusted after the first leg at Estádio do Dragão. Liverpool blew Porto away, hitting them for five. A hatrick from Sadio Mane and and strikes from Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino, secured Liverpool’s place in the quarter finals, as they took a step closer to Kiev.
November 2007: Liverpool 4-1 Porto
Rafael Benitez and his men secured a vital win against Porto at Anfield in the 2007-08 season, as they were in the hunt to be playing Champions League knockout football post Christmas.
Liverpool thrashed Jesualdo Ferreira’s men 4-1 at Anfield, however the scoreline did not reflect how tough of a test it was for Liverpool on the night. Liverpool’s number nine Fernando Torres opened the scoring after a header from a Steven Gerrard corner, before Porto leveled it up.
Three goals in the last 15 minuets from Gerrard, Torres and Peter Crouch made sure Liverpool put the game to bed as they wrapped up the points and took a step closer to the Round of 16.
April 2010: Liverpool 4-1 Benfica
Another Portuguese giant was beaten under the lights at Anfield in Europe, and in April 2010 it was Benfica’s turn. Liverpool overturned a 2-1 loss to Benfica from the first leg as they turned on the style at Anfield.
Dirk Kuyt opened the scoring with a controversial header to get Liverpool level on aggregate, before Lucas Levia ran clear to double the lead, making it advantage to Rafa and his men over the two legs.
Torres broke away and calmly added a third after the break after a fantastic counter attacking move from the reds. Oscar Cardozo got one back for the visitors to make it a tight finale.
However Torres put the game beyond doubt, adding a second and Liverpool’s fourth of the night with a fantastic dink over Julio Cesar to ensure he would make a return to Atletico Madrid in the Semi final of the Europa League.
March 1978: Liverpool 4-1 Benfica
Bob Paisley’s Liverpool handed Benfica a lesson when they came to Anfield in March 1978. Liverpool ran out of the game 4-1 winners
In the Quarter final, second leg goals from Ian Callaghan, Kenny Dalglish and Terry McDermott sent Liverpool on their way to their Second European Cup triumph which they would eventually win at Wembley.
October 1984: Liverpool 3-1 Benfica
Our final pick for Liverpool’s biggest win against Portuguese opposition was their group stage win against Benfica in 1984.
Liverpool who had won the European Cup months early were inspired to the win by Ian Rush, as he produced a magical display with a hatrick against the Portuguese stars.