Liverpool face a challenging Champions League semi-final against Barcelona but coach Juergen Klopp says his side have made a statement by reaching the last four for the second straight year and are equipped for the test.
A resurgent Mohamed Salah scored one and set up another to inspire the Reds to a 4-1 away win at Porto in their quarter-final second leg.
Liverpool, who eased through 6-1 on aggregate, held off Porto in Thursday's (NZ time) early stages before Salah and Sadio Mane combined for the Senegalese to put them ahead with their first shot on target.
Egyptian striker Salah doubled the tally after the break and goals from Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk wrapped it up late on.
Porto had briefly reduced the arrears through Eder Militao but, having lost the first leg 2-0 at Anfield, never seemed in a position to overturn the deficit.
Barcelona advanced on Wednesday when they won 3-0 in their second-leg against Manchester United, completing a 4-0 aggregate victory.
"We have been together for a while, we needed to be more mature," Klopp said.
"The boys made their own experience in this competition, especially last year. It's the second time in a row we are in the semis.
"That says something, it's a big statement for the club."
With their defence marshalled by the impressive Van Dijk, Liverpool - who reached the final last year - are now undefeated in their last 17 games in all competitions as they seek a Premier League-Champions League double.
They soaked up the early pressure as Porto made an adventurous start, with Jesus Corona curling a powerful shot over the bar in the opening minute.
Klopp's side looked temporarily toothless, but they were just waiting for their moment - which came in the 26th minute.
Mane latched onto a cross from Salah to beat Iker Casillas from close range but he was initially flagged offside, only for referee Danny Makkelie to check the VAR. After a two-minute review, the goal was given.
Facing the huge task of scoring four goals to qualify, Porto looked stunned, despite having attempted 15 shots before the interval.
Salah, who endured a goal drought in March, confirmed he was getting close to his best when he slotted past Casillas after collecting a diagonal through ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 65th minute.
Militao soothed the home fans' suffering a little, heading home in the 69th minute, but Firmino and Van Dijk capped the result.
"It was very, very difficult. We knew that before, that it will be a proper whirlwind here and that's what they did," Klopp said.
"They (Porto) are a completely different animal in home games."
Tottenham Hotspur will face Ajax in the other semi-final.
Reuters
