Liverpool are leading Porto by 2-0 after the first 45 minutes of the first leg of the Champions League quarter finals.

This was far from a dominating first-half performance and Klopp will be wary of that.

Despite Porto’s defensive mishaps which saw them fall 2-0 behind within the first 26 minutes, Marega missed two excellent chances within four minutes either side of a VAR decision that went against his side, and have remained an offensive threat after switching their formation to an attacking 5-3-2 after Firmino’s goal and Liverpool’s second.

Aware of the danger that Conceicao’s Dragons will pose, Klopp will aim for the same defensive solidity from Van Dijk and company that has greatly aided them on their domestic and continental endeavours this season.

It won’t be a surprise to see Porto come flying out of the boxes once Lahoz blows his whistle to start the second half, but the hosts may have done enough to see them through to the second leg.

Photo Credit: liverpoolfc.com

The first 45 minutes of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final clash between Tottenham and Manchester City ended goalless.

The visitors had a huge opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty after VAR deemed that Danny Rose had blocked Raheem Sterling’s strike with his arm.

Referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the spot after consulting VAR just 12 minutes into the match.

But Sergio Aguero’s spot-kick was saved by Hugo Lloris low to his left and the scores remained level.

At the other end, Harry Kane had an opening at goal, only to blast his effort straight at Ederson.

It has been a nervy contest between the two sides, with neither operating at the peak of their powers yet.

City have been far from their best and the amount of matches that the club have played recently could just be catching up with them.

They have been flat in their demeanour on the pitch and are in need of a spark to jolt them into life.

Tottenham need to capitalise in the second half to take an advantage to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg.

Photo Credit: tottenhamhotspur.com

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is insisting that Paul Pogba will not leave the Old Trafford club at the end of the season.

Real Madrid have reportedly stepped up their move to acquire the services of the French midfielder, especially with the return of Zinedine Zidane to the Santiango Bernabeu.

But despite the Los Blancos efforts, the Norwegian remains confident on his future, as he spoke ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with Barcelona.

“I cannot see him not playing for Manchester United next season, he is a player for us now and will continue to be so,” Solskjaer told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

“Paul’s job is to be the creator, and when we win the ball he has to drive forward, so I hope he does that well.

Juventus talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to club’s squad to face Ajax in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Portuguese star has been out of action since March 25 after suffering a hamstring injury while on international duty with Portugal.

However he appears to be fit and raring to go for the Italian giants as they travel to Amsterdam looking to move one step closer to a European title.

Ronaldo cut a relaxed figure on the training ground as he laughed along with his team-mates in sunny conditions in Turin.

The Portuguese star was seen stretching on the turf as he got loose for his first training session in weeks.

But the Old Lady’s defence ace Giorgio Chiellini- who has been struck by a calf problem- is left out.

Photo Credit: Cristiano Ronaldo

There are reports in London that Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater has been arrested for suspected drink-driving offences after the out-of-favour Chelsea midfielder crashed his car minutes after leaving a party early on Monday morning.

The former Leicester man is said to have crashed his Range Rover into a Skoda at approximately 12.30am, hours before the Blues 2-0 win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge.

The crash left debris scattered across the country road while a fence was also flattened.

The Daily Mail reports Drinkwater and solicitor Beth Mantel, who he was travelling with at the time, were both treated for minor injuries along with Emma Brown, 30, who was driving the Skoda.

He and Mantel had attended a charity event in an upmarket bar called Victors in Hale, Greater Manchester, approximately six miles away from Drinkwater’s home, according to The Sun.

A source said: ‘It was a really nasty crash. Danny had been seen having a great night at the bar but it ended horribly. Pieces of the car he hit went flying.

‘Danny’s been partying like mad recently but hopefully this will be a wake up call telling him to slow down.’

Cheshire Police said: ‘A 29-year-old man from Nether Alderley was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. He is currently in custody assisting officers with their inquiries.’

Following the impressive win over the Hammers, a Chelsea spokesperson confirmed they were aware of the reports.

They said: ‘We are aware of reports but we will want to establish all of the facts before commenting.’

Reports in Spain claim Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri has requested for exit from the La Liga giants.

The 22-year-old only joined Atleti from Villarreal in a deal worth an initial €20m plus a further €5m in add-ons, but now has been linked with a move away.

According to Onda Cero, the midfielder- who has won five international caps for Spain inside the past 12 months- asked to be made available to other clubs this summer should his €70m release clause be met.

The Spanish radio station reported last week that Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Manchester City were all eyeing a move for the central midfielder.

Rodri has been widely tipped to be the successor of Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets for the Spanish national team and City boss Pep Guardiola is also said to see him in this mould.

The midfielder’s contract at Atleti runs through until 2023 but the club would be powerless to prevent him leaving should his €70m release clause be met.

Photo Credit: atleticomadrid.com

Maurizio Sarri has berated Real Madrid’s reported £100m valuation of star man Eden Hazard as “too cheap”.

The Belgian superstar was Chelsea’s match-winner with two goals against West Ham in a week when his future has been the subject of intense speculation.

Real Madrid are said to be preparing a summer swoop for Hazard and are set to make a £100m bid to try and secure his services.

Sarri fuelled transfer talk by admitting there is little they can do to convince the player to stay at Stamford Bridge if he decides his future lies elsewhere, reports the Mirror.

But he also insisted it will take much more than £100m for them to part with the attacking maestro given the current market.

When asked about a rumoured £100m price tag, Sarri told Sky Sports: “It’s too cheap. In this market it’s too cheap.

“I have no idea [what it would cost to replace him].

“But we have seen in the last market window every price I think.

“I think that it’s really very hard to change Hazard with another player.

“If Eden wants to make another experience it is very difficult to keep him I think.”

When asked how he can convince Hazard to say, he added: “We are trying to improve.

“We are trying to become one of the best teams in England and as a consequence in Europe.

“But I have to respect his decision.

“I don’t know, I am not the club, I can’t do anything to answer. I can’t answer. [Can we lose him?] From the technical point of view, no not at the moment.

“There is no other Hazard because the level is so high. I hope Hazard can stay.

“The club doesn’t want to sell him but we must all respect his decision I think. He is in the last year of his contract and if he has another decision then we have to respect it. We tried but it is not easy.”

Neymar’s former Barcelona and national teammate Adriano has revealed PSG forward’s regret leaving the Catalan giants for Lique 1 champions.

The Brazilian joined the Parisians in a world record €222m fee from Barcelona in the summer of 2017 but has long been linked with a return to Spanish football.

“Me and Neymar had a conversation three weeks ago,” Adriano – a left-back who is now playing for Turkish club Besiktas – explained to El Larguero on Cadena Ser.

“Everyone who departs Barcelona ends up regretting that decision and for Neymar I think this feeling is particularly strong.”

Photo Credit: Sky Sports

Eden Hazard scored both goals as Chelsea beat West Ham United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to move up to third place in the table.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Hazard showed great skill to dance past three defenders at pace and send a low drive past Lukasz Fabianski.

Two minutes later Hazard teed up Gonzalo Higuain, only for the striker’s shot from a tight angle to ricochet off the post.

West Ham improved after the interval with Manuel Lanzini’s shot pushed away by Kepa Arrizabalaga and Aaron Cresswell’s drive drifting inches wide.

Marko Arnautovic’s header was also deflected wide by Emerson.

However, Hazard doubled Chelsea’s lead on 90 minutes with a clinical 16th goal of the season, giving Chelsea a third successive victory to take them above Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal on 66 points.