---
title: "Virals: FC Porto facing late call over experienced centre-back Pepe"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-fc-porto-facing-late-call-over-experienced-centre-back-pepe/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-09-28T11:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-09-28T11:31:51Z"
---

# Virals: FC Porto facing late call over experienced centre-back Pepe

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/09/28/virals-trent-alexander-arnold-hasnt-travelled-to-face-fc-porto/) could face an FC Porto without their talismanic defensive leader in the UEFA Champions League Group B clash.

The Reds arrived in Portugal on Monday (September 27) ahead of the match but were without their own influential defender as [Trent Alexander-Arnold](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/09/27/virals-jurgen-klopp-confirms-new-captaincy-hierarchy-at-liverpool/) failed to make the trip.

However, that loss may be eased by the absence of Pepe for the hosts as the 38-year-old [faces a race against time](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/026d-1357c4d48df4-03a9419bcebd-1000--possible-line-ups-and-team-news/) to prove his fitness.

Porto boss Sergio Conceicao [revealed](https://tribunaexpresso.pt/porto/2021-09-27-O-grande-elogio-de-Conceicao-ao-Liverpool-Vamos-defrontar-um-adversario-que-em-alguns-momentos-do-jogo-e-a-melhor-equipa-do-mundo-d66fcaa3) during a pre-match press conference that the ex-Real Madrid superstar did not train yesterday and will need to be monitored prior to the match.

> Pepe is a major doubt for Porto v [#LFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) according to boss Sergio Conceicao. A late decision will be made with regards the centre-back's availability. [pic.twitter.com/3amkz7I5dC](https://t.co/3amkz7I5dC)
>
> — KopTalk (@KopTalk) [September 27, 2021](https://twitter.com/KopTalk/status/1442470925039964160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Capped a remarkable [121 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pepe/nationalmannschaft/spieler/14132/verein_id/3300) by Portugal, Pepe’s experience would certainly be a huge miss at the back for the home side.

So far this season the ace has made six appearances across all competitions – earning an impressive [7.08 Sofascore rating](https://www.sofascore.com/player/pepe/5884) in the process.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Liverpool fans need not reminding about what it is like to [lose an influential member](https://talksport.com/football/775953/liverpool-stats-with-without-virgil-van-dijk-injury-season-jordan-pickford-tackle/) of the back four.

Despite his advancing years, Pepe still remains a [top performer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pepe/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/14132) for the Portuguese club and will leave a huge hole should he fail to make the starting lineup.

Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp will no doubt welcome any untimely opposition absences in light of the [absent Alexander-Arnold](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alexander-arnold-liverpool-news-breaking-21693434) and plans to heavily rotate the squad.