Liverpool must watch out for Porto players Jesus Corona and Moussa Marega in their Champions League quarter final clash, according to Portuguese football expert Tiago Estevao.
The Portuguese giants are having another strong season – they are currently joint top of the Primeira Liga with Benfica – and Estevao believes Corona and Marega will pose particular problems for the Reds.
“There’s a couple [of] players to look out for,” Estevao, who is a Portuguese scout and analyst, told the Daily Express.
“Corona is having his best season since he arrived in Portugal and would probably be my pick. He’s a quick winger who can play on either side and is very skilful when it comes to one-versus-one situations.
“He’ll be a threat on the counter and is also very active off the ball, so will be important [in] either disrupting Liverpool’s build-up or defending deep. Beyond him, Marega is dangerous if Liverpool leave too much space in behind.”
OPINION
These two probably will be the biggest threats that Liverpool will have to deal with over the two legs and they should be wary just like Estevao points out. We all know what Marega can do by now. He’s been terrific since joining Porto and has scored in all but one of the Champions League games he’s played in this season. If the Reds get lax at the back then there’s no doubt that the Malian has the ability to punish them. Corona, meanwhile, is less well known on these shores but is certainly someone Jurgen Klopp’s team must be aware of. He is a tricky winger who will doubtlessly test whoever Liverpool’s fill-in left back is in the first leg. His record of 14 assists this season tells you everything about how much of a creative threat he is. If Porto are able to create any significant opportunities over the two legs then Corona will likely be involved in some capacity. However, having said all that, it would be major surprise if these two were able to disrupt things to such an extent that Liverpool crash out at the quarter final stage.
