Champions League: Ranking the round of 16 ties

4. Porto vs. Liverpool

This matchup is all but certain to produce goals galore. For that reason alone, this should be an intriguing tie, but the way their managers set up their squads and how they attack is just as alluring.

The goals though: That’s what this particular clash is all about. Who doesn’t want to see a 6-4 aggregate score line with absolute belters and moments of magic?

If you’ve watched Liverpool at all this season, you’ll know they can produce a fantastic goal at the snap of the fingers, and that they’re just as likely to give one up in even more tragic fashion. Porto may not score the number of goals Liverpool do, but they create chance in bunches. Based on the sheer amount of shots they manage per game — almost 18 per in the Primera Liga and 14 in the group stage — they’re bound to score a few.

Porto are particularly deadly down the wings, where Liverpool are weakest, especially on the left side of the pitch. In their domestic league alone, the left-sided combination of Alex Telles and Yacine Brahimi have 15 assists, nine of which have come from the left-back Telles. Striker Vincent Aboubakar scored five times in group play and is tied on 15 league goals with his teammate Moussa Marega.

Liverpool are known under Jurgen Klopp for their relentless pressing style of play that leads into quick, short counters and open chances. They average nearly 20 shots per game in England and over 17 in Europe. Mohamed Salah has 26 goals in both competitions and Roberto Firmino has 17 in total.

After all that hype, this tie is now sure to offer up a 2-1 aggregate score line. Even then, we’re likely to see a myriad of missed chances for both sides.