ROMA head to Porto with a slight advantage over their Portuguese hosts in the race for a Champions League quarter-final place.
The Italian outfit won 2-1 at home in the opening leg, meaning a draw would send them through - but a 1-0 victory for the Estadio do Dragao side would see them advance on away goals.
LIVERPOOL cruised to a date night with Lionel Messi and a reunion with Philippe Coutinho.
The moment VAR ruled Sadio Manes first-half effort was onside, this quarter-final was over as a contest and Jurgen Klopp would not have wanted it any other way.
Ultimately, the Reds demolished their opponents in yet another remarkable win at this level of European football.
On a thoroughly cold and miserable night, Liverpools fans secured a trip to what should be a far sunnier Barcelona in a few weeks and a not-so-friendly reunion with former playmaker Coutinho.
After watching this, Barca have every reason to be worried.
In what had real potential to be a tricky evening, particularly after the way Roma were turned over at the Estadio do Dragao in the previous round, Klopps team delivered a thoroughly professional performance to ensure there were no worries.
After surviving an early onslaught, Liverpool took the lead with the help of VAR and Mane.
Mo Salah grabbed the second midway inside the second half before Eder Militao pulled a goal back.
But Liverpool then humiliated the Portuguese side with further goals from Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk.
Having wasted 13 chances in the first 26 minutes, and then seeing Dutch referee Danny Makkelie end a two-minute VAR wait by pointing to the centre-circle, Porto knew they were about to be dumped out of the Champions League for the second time in succession by Liverpool.
While 14 months ago Liverpool stormed to a strange 5-0 win here, this time it was all much more low key.
After holding firm early on, Mane scored his 22nd goal of the season in his teams first attack.
While Salah has come to life over these last few weeks in spectacular fashion, it is Mane who has been Liverpools most consistent attacker this season.
So a fascinating semi-final with Messi n Co now awaits, although the focus will certainly still be on Sundays tricky Premier League trip to Cardiff.
But Klopp will be happy this was not an energy-sapping, backs-to-the-wall 90 minutes. Like they have done all season, apart from that blip at the start of the year, Liverpool used different tools to find a way to win.
That is why they have such great momentum. There is no doubt they are no longer Euro novices.
This was a really good test and another important experience for Klopps team, particularly the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, a young player who has found it tough on some of the previous big European evenings.
Last night, though, in front of England boss Gareth Southgate, he delivered an impressive display.
Any Liverpool fans expecting some nice, warm Portuguese weather would have got a shock as the temperatures were not only cooler than England yesterday but it was incredibly wet.
And a torrential downpour shortly before kick-off made conditions tricky. With Jordan Henderson carrying a knock, it was no major surprise he started on the bench, although Divock Origi getting the nod ahead of Firmino up front was a major turn-up for the books.
Do away goals count in the Champions League, and is the rule used if ties go to extra time?It was the Belgians first Champions League start for the club he had not managed more than 17 minutes in any of his four previous appearances in Europe.
He started out on the left, with Mane playing centrally, but at half-time was replaced by Firmino.
The focus at the start was always going to be on Liverpools back four and their ability to stand firm under an early barrage from the home side.
The first quarter followed a similar pattern. Porto had the ball, wasted a chance and Liverpool booted it back into their half and repeat.
Then, however, Mane scored. Talk about a goal against the run of play. It was the visitors first attack of the game and completely and utterly stunned the home crowd not to mention the Porto team.
Mane and Andy Robertson played a one-two, Salah scuffed a shot, Gini Wijnaldum returned the ball and Liverpools Egyptian maestro had another effort.
While he looked to be aiming for the corner it was going wide until Mane charged in at the far post.
The linesmans flag was raised immediately and it looked a tight decision.
Mane did not protest too much but Salah stuck his thumbs up, as if to insist that the outcome would be positive.
And after a two-minute wait, referee Makkelie pointed to the centre spot and Mane was able to celebrate.
James Milner came close to a goal via a deflection in first half injury-time.
While Porto huffed and puffed, they never really came close to hurting Liverpool before Salah scored the second midway through the second half after being sent clear by Alexander-Arnold.
For Liverpools right-back that was the end of his evening as he was replaced by the fit-again Joe Gomez.
Porto defender Militao, who will be heading to Real Madrid for 45million in the summer, then scored with a powerful header from a corner.
Mane missed a good chance before Firmino headed Hendersons cross into the net for 3-1.
Van Dijk grabbed the fourth as it all became a bit embarrassing for the Portuguese champions.
In reality, Champions League quarter-finals do not come any easier than this.
Any Barca fans already booking their accomodation for the final in Madrid should hold fire.
LIVERPOOL fans may be forced to travel an extra 160 miles for their Champions League game against Napoli.
The Italian club's president is preparing to ask Uefa to allow Napoli's home matches to be moved to Bari this season.
Jurgen Klopp's side are scheduled to play in Italy on October 3, the second matchday of this season's tournament as they look to go one step further than last year.
Aurelio De Laurentiis has publicly criticised the home of Napoli, Stadio San Paolo which is municipally-owned.
And he is prepared to pay for 1,000 coaches to take fans to each match from Naples on Italy's west coast to Bari on the east coast.
It takes more than three hours to drive between the two stadia.
In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, De Laurentiis said: "The stadium of Napoli is a nightmare. Such a bad stadium limits Napoli at an international level.
"It will take two years but I am going to build a new stadium so nobody can say anything to me."
The comments angered Naples mayor Luigi Di Magistris, who is in an ongoing dispute with the Napoli president.
Di Magistris said: "His suggestion is unthinkable and impractical. Its a serious matter to even think about something like that.
"Napoli play and will play at the San Paolo stadium."
De Laurentiis is not only the president of Napoli but also took over former Serie A side Bari, who are now in the fourth tier following financial struggles.
Liverpool and Napoli were drawn in the same group as French giants Paris Saint-Germain and Red Star Belgrade in Group C.
Napolis 2018/19 home shirt has a hidden animal lurking in the design
LIONEL MESSI squared up to angry Barcelona fans at Liverpool airport after being abused over his side's humiliating Champions League exit last night, according to reports in Spain.
Mundo Deportivo report that the Barca star got into the altercation just hours after crashing out of the tournament.
The incident is said to have happened at around midnight.
Messi missed the Barcelona team coach after the 4-0 defeat, as the skipper was tested by anti-doping officials at Anfield.
He arrived separately from the rest of the squad, with his personal security guard and manager Pepe Costa.
At the security checkpoint a small group of fans are said to have confronted Messi.
The report states that Messi "faced them" before being dragged away by Costa, to avoid a more serious situation.
Another set of fans close by are said to have applauded Messi as he passed through security.
Liverpool fans go wild in Concert Square after Champions League victory over BarcelonaBarcelona suffered one of the worst defeats in their history as they blew a 3-0 first-leg lead and saw Jurgen Klopp's side storm into the final.
The Spanish press dubbed the defeat the "biggest embarrassment in history", with Marca describing the loss as an "historic failure" and AS labelling it a "bloodbath".
After the stunning defeat, Barcelona wasted little time in making their departure from Anfield.
But they left Messi behind, after he had been summoned by Uefa officials to provide a urine sample.
Messi cut a lonely figure as he trudged past the mixed zone, with all his team-mates waiting at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had little influence on the game, as Jurgen Klopp set up the perfect game-plan for his team to dominate from start to finish.
Messi's strike partner Luis Suarez slammed his team's defending.
The former Liverpool hero said: "For their fourth goal we looked like schoolboys, we have to be ready for all the criticism that is going to rain down on us now.
"We are very sad, we are in a lot of pain, we feel this pain even though we are professionals.
"We have to do a lot of self criticism because this is the second time that the same thing has happened to us.
"We cannot commit the same mistake two years in a row, there are many things we need to consider and think about.
"They (Liverpool) did what they wanted to do, which was to score early. They believed from the first minute to the last.
"I do not know if it's a matter of attitude, but we're in Barcelona, we can not get two goals in a row. The fourth is a goal by kids."
Tearful Liverpool star James Milner hugged by Jurgen Klopp as Barcelona fans cry after dramatic Champions League semi-final
LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp thinks there is only one difference between himself and Pep Guardiola - his teams are not as good.
The German has more wins over the Manchester City tactician than any other manager, with six in 12 games.
And after being asked about Guardiola's lauded style, he insisted there was little to pick between them.
Former Mainz and Borussia Dortmund boss Klopp told Uefa:"There's no big difference, actually. It's just that Pep's teams Pep has always had better teams than me.
"You can see that now with Manchester City - they have a lot more points than we do. However, that difference has never been as small as it is now. When we coached at Bayern and Dortmund respectively, that difference was really big.
"And when he was coaching Barcelona, I was at Mainz, so that was a completely different situation. They've got a lot more ball possession than I ever had in my coaching career.
"They were always world-class teams and we always had to improve a little bit. That's about the only major difference. When you have more ball possession, you don't need to worry too much about what you need to do when your opponents have the ball.
"That's basically everything. But, apart from that, the difference is not so incredibly large. However, there are always some [differences] at the end of the day."
Asked to describe Guardiola's free-flowing style, Klopp added: "His teams are always excellently positioned. He always has great teams which make excellent decisions.
"At Barcelona it was Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Lionel Messi and so on, just to mention the creative players from his time there.
"At Bayern Munich he had fantastic players who made a lot of great decisions. Now, with Gundogan, Silva, Aguero, Sane on the left wing, Sterling on the wing, Gabriel Jesus, they're extraordinary.
"Positioning is important, but this is not witchcraft, it is not unusual just because the wing-backs come inside, but when the players are in position they move every millisecond in order to be available, and when they are, that's when the individual quality of the player becomes important, and they control the ball correctly.
"So they're already well positioned on the pitch, they know what's going on around them, they are very well orientated and they can pass the ball into the next area.
"That's what makes them extraordinary. And whenever they can't pass they use their pace in order to progress further up.
"And then the space on the wing is free. When you have one good player in the middle, or three or four good players, you need to know how to defend well.
"Then, boom, you move the ball to the wings and an incredibly fast player runs towards the goalline and crosses the ball into the penalty area. That's a real challenge, for sure.
"It's actually a mix of Pep's skills regarding these aspects and, of course, the extraordinary skills of his players."
How much do you know about Jurgen Klopps first 100 games in charge of Liverpool?
PAUL SCHOLES has branded Jose Mourinho an "embarrassment" - and is amazed Manchester United have not sacked him.
Mourinho is at loggerheads with Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez, and questioned his players' commitment after Saturday's dismal 3-1 defeat at West Ham.
It is United's worst start to a season for 29 years and Mourinho has come under fire.
Old Trafford legend Scholes, speaking before United's goalless Champions League draw against Valencia, said: "I'm surprised he survived after Saturday, the performance was so bad.
"He's coming out in press conferences and constantly having a go at players, having a go at people above him because he's not getting what he wants.
"I think his mouth is out of control and he's embarrassing the club."
Fellow United great Rio Ferdinand believes Mourinho, 55, WANTS to be sacked.
Speaking as a BT Sport pundit, he said: "It was obvious to anyone watching on Saturday the attitude was wrong and he said the attitude wasn't the problem. Then he's picking on the scouts. It's like he wants to get the sack."
Under-fire Mourinho took aim at Pogba for not caring about the name on his shirt more than his team - and told players not to lose "dignity" in his programme notes tonight.
But Scholes insists Mourinho must take the flak for United's poor form.
He said: "Of course players have to take responsibility but ultimately it has to come from the manager.
"Hes the one sending them out to perform. Youre not always going to play well but the first thing you expect is attitude and effort and theyve got neither.
"He's been there two years and he doesn't have a clue what his best team is. There is no identity and no way of playing any more.
"Its plainly obvious to me that there are players in that dressing room who want the manager to go."
Nemanja Matic, who also played for Mourinho at Chelsea, insists the players are on his side.
The Serb said: "We all have the same target.
"We all play for the same club and are together every day.
"We will try to resolve our problems inside our dressing room and to show that on the pitch because the result is the most important thing in football."
Manchester Uniteds Jose Mourinho believes that all his players give the best every single time
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER will hope to perform a Champions League miracle that would make Sir Alex Ferguson proud by stopping Lionel Messi.
The last time Manchester United faced the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in Europe's elite competiton was the 2011 final, when the Argentinian wreaked havoc as Barcelona ran out 3-1 winners.
But as is the case with their stunning comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16, the Red Devils can relax going into the tie where they are seen as underdogs.
Solskjaer's side are facing their toughest test to date but they can also take comfort from the fact that the La Liga giants have failed to win in four trips to Old Trafford.
Manchester United can welcome back Paul Pogba after the French midfielder served his one-match ban during the 3-1 away win in Paris.
Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera were both forced to sit out United's recent defeat to Wolves with minor injuries but are expected to return.
Solskjaer will be missing Matteo Darmian, Eric Bailly, Antonio Valencia and Alexis Sanchez, while Herrera, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw, and Nemanja Matic are one booking away from missing the return leg.
Ousmane Dembele has been named in the Barcelona squad despite not being medically cleared to play, while Rafinha remains ruled out for the rest of the season.
Man Utd: De Gea, Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw, McTominay, Herrera, Pogba, Rashford, Lingard, Martial
Barcelona: ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Arthur; Messi, Suarez, Coutinho
Messi remains the obvious danger man for Barcelona and it really doesn't help that the 31-year-old has scored 13 goals and set up another four in his last ten games.
The Spanish side also have ex-Liverpool stars Suarez and Coutinho who have experience of playing against United, with the latter scoring at Old Trafford in the Europa League in 2016.
However, Solskjaer is likely to restore Jesse Lingard as a false nine which was used to great effect for the first time in the win against Spurs at Wembley in January.
The England international's dribbling is able to draw out defenders, which gives Rashford and Martial space to use their pace to run in behind.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mike Phelan spotted at the Camp Nou ahead of Barca's tie with Manchester UnitedOne-time United target Nelson Semedo is finally making his way to Old Trafford but the right-back will have a tough ask to try and nullify Rashford out-wide.
The former Benfica defender is also one match away from a ban in the competition and will likely be targeted by Solskjaer's side.
While the Red Devils are a terrific counter-attacking side, their under-fire defence will have to hold firm against the likes of Messi and Suarez for most of the game.
Young will have to keep his composure after seeing red for a reckless challenge at Wolves while Smalling's poor positioning led to him turning into his own net.
