Liverpool reached the Champions League quarter finals despite a forgettable draw with Porto.

A comfortable 5-0 lead from the first leg meant the Reds were effectively through to the last eight even before kicking off Tuesday’s Anfield tie.

Sadio Mane hit the post in the much-changed hosts’ most notable effort of the first half while substitute Danny Ings spurned a chance after the interval.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Europe’s elite will have Reds fear factor

 

Porto were undoubtedly one of the teams on Liverpool’s wish list when the Champions League’s last 16 draw was made.

They were always a side that the Reds should have been finding their way past but that does not make the fashion in which they did so any less impressive.

There was not one minute of the two-legged tie that Liverpool did not control.

Although none were added to their tally in the second leg, Jurgen Klopp’s players still have 28 goals to their name – more than any club in this year’s competition.

An easy fixture is unlikely to be waiting for them in the last eight but that will make little difference. Europe’s elite will be fearful of coming up against this side.

Fringe players fail in Anfield audition

 

With progress virtually assured and the small matter of a trip to Old Trafford this weekend, Klopp took the decision to make five changes for this game.

It allowed some of Liverpool’s fringe players the rare chance to stake a regular claim. Unfortunately, it was an opportunity that they largely failed to grasp.

Joel Matip was confident at centre-back but had little impact, while the same can be said of Alberto Moreno on the left-hand side of defence.

In midfield, Adam Lallana missed his chance to push himself further up the pecking order with a solid but largely underwhelming performance.

Based on the showings put in in this game, it may be a while before Klopp elects to ring the changes again.

Henderson finally in his element

 

By Klopp’s own admission, Jordan Henderson has been charged with an impossible task since replacing Steven Gerrard as Liverpool captain.

For much of the time he has worn the armband, it is a task he has failed.

These days, though, it is a different story. Rather than timid and often listless performances, he is now putting in consistent, commanding displays.

Under Klopp’s tutelage, he has become a vocal leader; often dictating both his teammates and the game from his deeper midfield role.

Henderson will never be a player that can take a game and control it like Gerrard did at the peak of his powers. There are precious few who can, in truth.

But he finally appears capable of handling the responsibility of Liverpool’s captaincy without it weighing him down.

Right-back battle is far from over

 

When Nathaniel Clyne last played for Liverpool, his role at right-back was not one he had to put in much fight for. That is not the case anymore.

He will find himself at the wrong end of the pecking order upon his eventual return from injury, with Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold fighting it out.

Gomez added to his growing reputation with a strong display, showing defensive composure at one end and real attacking intent at the other on the rare occasion he was found in a forward position.

His display will not have been enough to push him clearly ahead of Alexander-Arnold, though, whose own strong displays this season have earned him praise.

The battle for the right-back spot is a close fought one and at the moment it’s hard to pick a victor between the two England youngsters.