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Mohamed Salah, Liverpool Advance to UCL Semi-Final with 4-1 Win vs. Porto

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool Advance to UCL Semi-Final with 4-1 Win vs. Porto

  • By michael@cvcteam.com
  • |

Liverpool returned to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League after beating Porto 4-1 in the second leg of their last-eight tie at the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday.

The Reds arrived in Portugal with a 2-0 aggregate lead and padded their advantage with goals from Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk, with Eder Militao heading a mere consolation for the hosts.

Last season’s beaten finalists are now set to face Barcelona in the last four.

Mane Deserves to be Called World Class

Mane isn’t just more important than Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s chances of winning major trophies this season. He’s also now good enough to be called world class.Inconsistent, streaky and enigmatic used to be the go-to adjectives to explain the former Southampton winger’s career path. Yet Mane hasn’t just refuted those claims this season, he’s made them look downright idiotic

His first-half goal, confirmed by VAR, was typical of the improvements in Mane’s game. He started the move with a terrific through ball to release Andy Robertson in behind.

Not content with just playing the part of creator, Mane kept moving. He showcased the greater variety in his off-the-ball movement by drifting from the inside left onto the right of the box.

The Senegal international then had the instinct to know when to pounce as Salah teed him up.

In terms of modern-forward play, Mane ticked all the boxes with this goal, his 22nd in all competitions during this campaign. Like all modern forwards, Mane proved his creative is as keen as his eye for goal by assisting Van Dijk for Liverpool’s fourth.

Mane’s also meeting all the requirements to be called world class. Scoring regularly in Europe’s biggest club competition? Check:

Finding the net in the games that matter most? Check:

Matching or bettering the achievements of great players from the past? He’s got that covered too:

There isn’t much Mane isn’t doing right at the moment.

Perhaps more than numbers, Mane has nudged his way into the world-class bracket by becoming the player who defines the way his team attacks. Manager Jurgen Klopp has made astute use of the 27-year-old’s flexibility by moving him off the flank and into a central role.

Mane has taken to it well, but he’s also been smart enough to know when to vacate the middle and rotate with fellow forwards. He returned to the left at a key moment during the first half to let Divock Origi, hopelessly miscast on the flank, move into a more familiar central area.

The movement gave Liverpool the spark to put a rare move together and net the all-important away goal.

What’s Next?

Liverpool’s bid to win the Premier League title continues away to Cardiff City on Sunday. Meanwhile, Porto host Santa Clara on Saturday, looking for an advantage over Benfica in a tight race for this season’s Primeira Liga crown.

 

 

 

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