Football. ua presents the announcement of the first match of the 1/8 finals of the Champions League between Porto and Liverpool.

Liverpool for nine years did not get to the playoffs of the Champions League, but is not going to stop at the 1/8 finals. In order to continue his campaign for the main trophy of European club football, you need the smallest thing - to pass Porto. The whole problem is that the "dragons" are not going to stop their performances in the tournament at the very beginning of March ... Porto (Portugal) - Liverpool (England) Wednesday, February 14, 21:45. Porto, Dragoo. Arbitrator - Daniele Orsato (Italy). Live broadcast on the channel Football 1 Porto and Liverpool also had to meet on the European Cup tracks, and the pleasant memories of those meetings were preserved at Liverpool. The first time the meeting occurred in the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup in 2001. In Portugal, the team broke up the world - 0: 0, and in England the success was accompanied by Liverpool - 2: 0. The situation was almost exactly the same in 2007 in the group stage of the Champions League, and again the winner did not find the first meeting in the Pyrenees - 1: 1, and again in the Foggy Albion, the "red" 4: 1.

Liverpool confidently passed the group stage without losing a single match, although two draws with Sevilla and one with Spartacus in the asset "red" just do not bring. There were, however, devastating routines of the same Spartacus and Maribor, but these teams were originally considered outsiders of the quartet.

Porto, who relied on the favorite of his group, experienced much more difficulties, and solved the problem of reaching the playoffs of the Champions League only in the last round.

Porto feels confident in the home championship - the "dragons" have not suffered a single defeat and occupy the first line in the standings, although they feel the breath of the pursuing Benfica. Liverpool is getting harder. The team of Jurgen Klopp has a rare ability to lose points practically on level ground - with Swansea, for example. That is why the "Reds" are fighting not with Manchester City for the championship title, but with Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham for the second position.

If we talk about the personnel situation in both teams, then it is also difficult to give someone a clear preference. Those who can not go to Dragoo, and Liverpool, and Porto can find a worthy replacement. And here in the first place will be a tactic, which will elect Sergio Conceicao and Jurgen Klopp. Which is exactly - the game will show, but it's unlikely that rivals will rush into battle with an open visor.

Klopp explains reason for Reds' 25-man Porto squad https: // t. co / XaLtpnRGTB pic. twitter. com / sgXxOQGApQ - Liverpool FC (@LFC) 13th day 2018 r.

Interesting facts - Liverpool and Porto twice crossed in European competition - two wins of the "reds" and two draws.

- Porto played 34 games against English clubs - 8 wins, 8 draws, 18 defeats, the difference of goals scored and conceded goals 36:59.

- Liverpool played 18 matches against the Portuguese clubs - 8 wins, 5 draws, 5 defeats, the difference scored and conceded goals 28:16.

- Porto played 9 times in the 1/8 finals of the Champions League - 3 out in the quarterfinals.

- Liverpool 5 times played in the 1/8 finals of the Champions League and only once did not qualify to the quarterfinals. And he suffered from a rival from Portugal - Benfica in the season-2005/2006 (two defeats, 0: 1 and 0: 2).

Approximate compositions of Porto: Jose Sa - Maxi Pereira, Marcano, Reyes, Alex Telles - Ricardo, Sergio Oliveira, Herrera, Braimi - Marega, Soares.

Liverpool: Carius - Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, van Dyck, Robertson - Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Weinaldum - Salah, Firmino, Manet.

Do not play: Felipe, Danilo - Jan, Kline.

In doubt: Markano, Abubakar - Gomez.

Words by Sergio Conceicao, Coach Porto:.

"We have to meet with a great team, but Porto is constantly progressing and gradually goes to the top level. Liverpool has the second most powerful attack in the Premier League, but this team, like everyone else, has its weaknesses. And we will try to use them ".

Jurgen Klopp, coach of Liverpool:.

"I'm a big fan of football, so I can not help but love Portugal - the great football nation. I like the passion that is fueled by football in this small country that has given the world many outstanding coaches and outstanding players. No system can win a match. The player should not just follow the instructions of the coach, but also give a piece of his heart. I like Porto, which combines youth and experience, football and physical strength. But we are not so bad either.. And we will prove this ".

forecast 1: 2 Do you want to learn the main football news first? Subscribe to our channel in Telegram! You can also follow our website in Viber and Twitter.