Champions League Best XI: Liverpool and Tottenham dominate team of the week
Here we run through the best WhoScored rated XI from the first leg ties of the Champions League quarter-finals, with additional information about their Football INDEX share prices.
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) - 7.94 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.35
Hugo Lloris’ whirlwind season continued in midweek after turning in an inspired performance to help Tottenham claim an unlikely 1-0 victory at home to Manchester City. The 2018 World Cup winner saved a Sergio Aguero penalty after 12 minutes when it was still goalless to finish the game as the WhoScored Man of the Match.
Left-back: James Milner (Liverpool) - 7.36 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.84
With Andrew Robertson suspended, James Milner was asked to drop in at left-back in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over FC Porto on Tuesday night and the experienced veteran put in a valiant shift. Liverpool came away with a valuable clean sheet at home, with Milner winning five aerial duels. The former England international also managed to get forward, completing two dribble; registering one shot and one key pass.
Centre-back: Gerard Pique (Barcelona) - 7.33 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.50
Gerard Pique savoured his return to Old Trafford with a flawless performance against former club Manchester United. The Spaniard’s experience was crucial at times when Barcelona were under sustained United pressure and he showed great speed to keep up with Marcus Rashford on numerous occasions. He also won three aerial duels despite having to contend with Romelu Lukaku’s physical presence and typically completed 90.9% of his passes.
Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 7.41 rating
Football INDEX share price - £2.46
Virgil van Dijk turned in another commanding performance at the back for Liverpool in their 2-0 win over FC Porto to earn a spot in our best rated XI from the midweek action. Van Dijk made nine clearances, provoked three offsides and completed one interception to help keep their opponents at bay. He also attempted over 100 passes in a Champions League game for the first time this season, at a success rate of 89.1%.
Right-back: Kieran Trippier (Tottenham) - 7.61 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.52
Kieran Trippier hasn’t enjoyed the best of seasons but the England international did at least find some form in Tottenham’s win over City. The Tottenham right-back proved a useful attacking outlet, registering two key passes, with one dribble completed, but was also resilient in defence, making seven tackles and interceptions combined - a personal best in a Champions League match this season.
Left midfield: Son Heung-min (Tottenham) - 7.69 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.31
He scored the first Premier League goal at Tottenham’s new stadium and also netted the club’s first in the Champions League at their new home. While Fabian Delph thought the ball was trickling out for a goal-kick, Son Heung-min didn’t give up and his perseverance was rewarded with the only goal of the game between Tottenham and City. Now Mauricio Pochettino’s side carry a 1-0 advantage into the second leg and have Son’s drive to thank for that.
Central midfield: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus) - 7.92 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.63
Juventus manager Max Allegri pin-pointed Barcelona-bound Frankie de Jong as the man to stop in Ajax’s team and tasked Rodrigo Bentancur with man-marking mission on the Netherlands international. Bentancur enjoyed a lot of success in that regard, though De Jong still managed to show his class and intelligence throughout the match. It was Bentancur, however, that finished as the WhoScored Man of the Match in the 1-1 stalemate after completing nine tackles and interceptions combined.
Central midfield: Naby Keita (Liverpool) - 9.15 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.14
Naby Keita had to wait nine months for his first Liverpool goal and now he has two in as many games after netting in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over FC Porto, albeit aided by a deflection. Keita actually finished the first legs of the quarter-finals as our Champions League player of the week. Not only was Keita influential in the final third, but he also completed 10 tackles and interceptions combined to help ensure Liverpool did not concede an away goal.
Right midfield: Hakim Ziyech (Ajax) - 7.38 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.42
Ajax sensation Hakim Ziyech turned in another eye-catching display in Europe on Wednesday night and was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet thwarted by some impressive Wojciech Szczesny saves. Ziyech had seven attempts in total, completed four dribbles and registered two key passes. He gave Juventus left-back Alex Sandro a tough night and even completed four tackles and interceptions combined. Ajax may struggle to hold on to the 26-year-old at the end of the season.
Striker: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) - 8.08 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.33
Roberto Firmino has hit top form at the ideal moment for Liverpool and has now scored or assisted in his last four appearances for club and country. Firmino played a direct hand in both of Liverpool’s goals against Porto to put his side in a commanding position in the tie. The 27-year-old leads from the front when Liverpool are out of possession and that was no different on Tuesday night, as the Brazilian completed three tackles.
Striker: Dusan Tadic (Ajax) - 6.96 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.42
Dusan Tadic produced more spell-binding moments at times during Ajax’s draw with Juventus on Wednesday night. His quick speed of thought and closely touches on the ball were too much for some of the Juventus defenders, though he could not quite produce the end result as he did against Real Madrid in the previous round. Nevertheless, the Ajax star still registered five key passes, more than any other player across the other first leg matches.
