Liverpool v Porto, Sept 07

Porto 1 Liverpool 1

Liverpool lucky to draw in Porto


An off colour Liverpool were slightly fortunate to escape with only a point, as they opened their Champions League campaign with an error strewn draw against Porto. Playing much of the second half with only ten men, after Jermaine Pennant was sent off with sixty minutes gone, Liverpool would have been happy with a point, after Dirk Kuyt had cancelled out Lucho Gonzalo’s early penalty.
Normally so efficient in Europe, Liverpool looked uncomfortable during the opening exchanges, particularly in defence, with Ricardo Quaresma a constant threat down Liverpool’s right hand side. Sami Hypia, replacing Daniel Agger in the centre of defence, was beaten to the ball by Tarik Sektioui, who was subsequently brought down by the oncoming Jose Reina.
Despite the Spanish goalkeeper’s excellent penalty-saving record, Gonzalez calmly slotted home the spot kick after eight minutes to give Porto a deserved lead. Perhaps surprisingly, and certainly against the run of play, within ten minutes Liverpool had drawn level. Hypia making amends for his earlier mistake, headed a Finnan free-kick back across the face of goal for Kuyt to equalise from close range.
Even a goal failed to settle the visitors; wasteful in possession, Finnan gifted a chance to Lopez, only for Reina to block his effort and Pennant was booked for a foul on the mesmerising Quaresma.
Things failed to improve in the second half for last year’s finalists, as Pennant was shown a second yellow for a needless and reckless challenge on the Uruguayan, Fucile. Nevertheless, Porto failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage and although Quaresma continued to impress with his trickery and exceptional use of the outside of his boot, Jose Mourinho’s former side lacked the cutting edge to score a second goal. Liverpool, ironically after scoring from a free kick of their own, looked unusually uncomfortable against set pieces, and Hypia cleared a Quaresma lob off the line. However, the visitors held on for a point, which was all the more valuable considering the disappointing nature of Liverpool’s performance, indeed Liverpool will need to improve when they host Marseille on October in a fortnight.