Liverpool dominate Champions League team of the round after dismantling Porto
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool) - 7.35 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.66
The 6-1 aggregate scoreline perhaps flattered Liverpool, who were under cosh for a lengthy period in their second leg meeting with Porto, but they ultimately did enough to setup a semi-final meeting with Barcelona. They have goalkeeper Alisson to thank for that, with the Brazilian making more saves (10) than any other goalkeeper in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Seven of those came in the second leg with Alisson impressing enough to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.35.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 7.60 rating
Football INDEX share price - £2.00
Liverpool dominate this XI, with Trent Alexander-Arnold the second of six Reds stars to make the team of the quarter-finals. The right-back landed a WhoScored rating of 7.60 across both legs providing his first and second assists of the Champions League campaign in the process, those coming from four key passes. 11 accurate long balls helped secure his spot in this side.
Centre-back: Matthjis de Ligt (Ajax) - 7.40 rating
Football INDEX share price - £2.50
Ajax’s hero on Tuesday night, prompting the excellent ‘Ctrl + Alt + De Ligt’ headline, Matthijs de Ligt put in mature displays across both meetings with Juventus to land a WhoScored rating of 7.40. His first Champions League goal of the season came at just the right time as he rose highest to head past Wojciech Szczesny at the Juventus Stadium to send Ajax through, while 13 clearances, eight aerial duels won, three tackles and three interceptions round off two fine showings from the 19-year-old.
Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 7.86 rating
Football INDEX share price - £2.61
Centre-back partners on the international stage, De Ligt features alongside compatriot Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence in this XI. The Dutchman netted in Liverpool’s 4-1 win at Porto on Wednesday night, that his second goal in the Champions League this season, as he dominated aerially to win seven aerial duels. Fine returns of 15 clearances, five tackles and one interception ensured Van Dijk secured a WhoScored rating of 7.86.
Left-back: Jordi Alba (Barcelona) - 7.56 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.69
The first of two Barcelona players to feature in this side, Jordi Alba makes the cut at left-back having had a direct hand in one of the four goals the Blaugrana netted in their 4-0 aggregate win over Manchester United. His assist in the second leg 3-0 win over the Premier League side came from one of three key passes and he impressed defensively too as he made four tackles and three interceptions to return a WhoScored rating of 7.56.
Right midfield: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 8.45 rating
Football INDEX share price - £5.01
Our Champions League player of the quarter-finals, Lionel Messi was in fine form over both legs against Manchester United, with his performance in the 3-0 second leg win returning a perfect 10 rating. An average of 8.45 was deserved for the Barcelona star, who netted two of their four goals against United and completed more dribbles (8) than any other player in the quarter-finals.
Central midfield: Fabinho (Liverpool) - 7.49 rating
Football INDEX buy price - £0.54
Only two players made more interceptions than Fabinho (6) across the quarter-finals with his fine work off the ball helping the Brazilian return a WhoScored rating of 7.49. Six tackles and six aerial duels won contributed to such a commendable rating as Fabinho marshalled the midfield against FC Porto with ruthless efficiency.
Central midfield: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) - 7.48 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.45
It’s an all-Liverpool central midfield pairing in this XI with Jordan Henderson partnering Fabinho in the middle of the park. The England international only played 19 minutes in the 4-1 win at Porto, yet did enough to provide an assist in that time. No player made more key passes than Henderson (7) in the quarter-finals to help return a WhoScored rating of 7.48.
Left midfield: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - 7.81 rating
Football INDEX share price - £5.05
The only Manchester City representative in this XI, Raheem Sterling had thought he’d won the tie for Pep Guardiola’s side against Tottenham, only for his injury time goal to be ruled out for offside. No less, the England international was still a fine performer over the two legs against Spurs, returning a WhoScored rating of 7.81 in the process. He netted twice at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night while five successful dribbles and two key passes over the two legs saw him secure his spot in this side.
Striker: Son Heung-Min (Tottenham) - 8.25 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.54
Only Messi (8.45) earned a better WhoScored rating than Son Heung-Min (8.25) in the quarter-finals with the South Korean star vital in their progression. Son scored more goals (3) than any other player at this stage of the Champions League, netting three of Spurs’ four goals, including the decisive winner in the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Off the ball, he excelled, making five tackles and one interception to make this XI.
Striker: Sadio Mane (Liverpool) - 7.91 rating
Football INDEX share price - £2.41
Rounding off this side and the Liverpool contingent is striker Sadio Mane, who put in a man of the match display for the Reds in Portugal. The Senegal star’s goal at Porto was his 10th in the knockout stages since last season, a fine return indeed, and he added an assist in Wednesday’s 4-1 win to contribute to a fine average WhoScored rating of 7.91, as no player made more tackles than Mane (8) in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
