Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool battered FC Porto 4-1 in the Champions League quarter-final to set up a meeting with Lionel Messi’s Barcelona.
Porto defender Pepe has claimed that Liverpool did not deserve their 4-1 victory at the Estadio do Dragao in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg, speaking to O Jogo.
Just 14 months after The Reds thrashed the Primeira Liga champions 5-0 in their own backyard, Jurgen Klopp’s side repeated the trick with another eye-catching triumph in one of Europe’s most daunting arenas.
Sadio Mane, Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk were all on target as Liverpool cruised into the semi-finals of the competition, where they will test their mettle against Lionel Messi’s Barcelona.
But Pepe, who has never been afraid to air his views during a storied career at the top level, believes the result flattered Liverpool as Porto ended up suffering a 6-1 aggregate defeat.
“The team started the first half well and I think it was unfair, (Liverpool) attacked once and scored a goal,” said the 36-year-old, a three-time Champion of Europe with Real Madrid.
“All the players at this club have the objective to win the Champions League. We were in such a beautiful race and it was not impossible (to win) today, we showed our ability against such a difficult opponent.
“In the first half we were one hundred percent better (than in the first leg).”
With just over a month remaining in the 2018/19 campaign, Liverpool are in contention to seal a legendary Premier League and Champions League double – a reflection of the marvellous job Jurgen Klopp has done since taking over at Anfield.
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