Neil Atkinson’s match review after FC Porto v Liverpool in the second round of the Champions League group stage at the Estadio Do Dragao…
LIVERPOOL were outstanding at Porto.
Curtis Jones was outstanding at Porto.
Last season Jones was excellent home and away against Ajax, getting a key goal at Anfield. But tonight was stuff from another level. No matter how or why or what he is integral to all five goals Liverpool score. Some of it was sumptuous, some of it was bludgeoning and you know what, you need a load of both.
In a sense this is the midfielder Liverpool have grown across the last three or four years. Prior to him breaking into the first team he was capable of banging in hat-tricks at youth level. Last season so much of what he did was about being reasonable, responsible, part of the unit. Tonight was a combination of the two, the best bits of both. He lived his life on the half turn, the ball moving across his body when required, his touch certain whenever needed.
He kept it ticking. He broke into areas. He beat men. He played killer passes. He shot from distance. Whatever he did, it made an impact. The game belonged to him in a way which a butterfly collector pins the quarry to the page. Beautiful. Certain.
Elsewhere Liverpool’s fourth was amongst my favourite goals in an age. I love a slow goal. I love a chase. I love a fruitless chase as Liverpool score a slow goal. Roberto Firmino’s finish was your horse leading and being chased down but still just winning by a nose on the photograph. It was a visceral pleasure.
https://twitter.com/curtisjr_10/status/1442976727752445954?s=20
Mo Salah scored two, one more than his regulation one this season. He is playing so well, loving his work and constantly impressing.
In a lot of ways this also proved to be Diogo Jota’s best game for Liverpool without a goal. He was constantly involved and he’d have hard lines not to start on Sunday.
James Milner may have to but we know he will think it through and sort it out. He’s a remarkable footballer. Tenacious, yes. Unbelievably fit for his age? Tick that box. But his brain purrs its way through a match. He solves problems and will use any tool in his toolbox to do it.
Andy Robertson gave the sort of performance which under normal circumstances would have us all overjoyed. Sadio Mane gets his goal, shows his touch and carries the piano while playing it beautifully.
Jordan Henderson spends the whole of the first half being dangerous and Fabinho is first to everything.
https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1442948391261007873
But the night truly is Curtis Jones’s. Everywhere you looked there was the player of the game, but there was only one man of the match.
Liverpool are hungry and Liverpool love to earn it again from scratch. Sunday is on the horizon but go back to the September of 2017 and I’d give anything for one European away performance like this. For one European performance like this.
Liverpool are top table. Liverpool are giving toasts. Liverpool are making speeches. Liverpool are the whole shebang, the whole kit and caboodle. It’s four years since only our second Champions League appearance in the whole decade. Glory days. They can pass you by.
Don’t you let them. Don’t you dare let them. Promise me.
See you Sunday.
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Curtis put on a show. It’s the first time I’ve seen him put everything together in a manner that reminded me of Stevie.
Absolutely astounding from start to finish, and a whole row of middle fingers to the doubters who thought he was basic.
The way he just took the piss for about half an hour before releasing the ball for Bobby’s first was glorious.
A genuine star at 20.