The Champions League draw provoked plenty of talk on social media and Liverpool fans were generally pleased to have drawn FC Porto.
The Reds will head to Portugal for the first leg of the last 16 before returning to Anfield for the second leg in the tie, the first time they’ve reached the knock-outs of the competition since 2009.
And fans were quick to voice their opinions on the draw after Jurgen Klopp‘s side avoided the likes of Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk and Bayern Munich.
Here’s how supporters and the media immediately reacted to Liverpool’s draw…
Some fans viewed matching up with Porto as the best possible outcome in the round of 16…
tbf, that was probably the best draw we could have hoped for.
— Moley (@Moley_LFC) December 11, 2017
Surely the best possible draw we could hope for!#Porto no easy beats but best result on paper.
Cmon u Reds.#LiverpoolFC #YNWA #UCLDraw— Shane (@OzLiverpoolFan) December 11, 2017
Liverpool v Porto #UCLdraw #LFC pic.twitter.com/fpKy3eSrWg
— Franklin Saint (@asapnxck) December 11, 2017
There were of course some already looking beyond the tie to what might lie ahead…
Great draw to look forward to for #LFC in the Champions League. If the key players stay fit until Feb there’s a great chance of making the last 8!
— Neil Mellor (@NeilMellor33) December 11, 2017
Porto is a great draw. You wanted a winnable tie in the last-16 and then get into the serious business against top sides in the later rounds.
— ???? (@_jdhw) December 11, 2017
No disrespect to Porto but this is a very good draw for LFC. We have a very good chance to make the quarterfinals and from there anything can happen. We need to be buyers in January. Add VVD and maybe one or two other additions and we can make a real run at this competition. YNWA https://t.co/jzeaaM6PaP
— LFC Gov (@lfctransfershq) December 11, 2017
There were also wise words of caution at taking Porto too lightly, simply because they’re not the toughest team the Reds might have faced…
https://twitter.com/TiagoEstv/status/940179533675802624
https://twitter.com/Knox_Harrington/status/940181846465409024
Gentle reminder: #Porto beat AS #Monaco 0-3 away from home, and 5-2 in Portugal. They also beat #Leipzig 3-1 at home. Conceded 5 in 14, scoring 36. One of those teams who play out of their skin at home.
No sunny stroll in February this, for #LFC. #UCLDraw
— Ambassador Deep (@srijandeep) December 11, 2017
Former midfielder Xabi Alonso got plenty of love from fans for drawing the Reds against the Portuguese side…
Xabi should be used for every Champions League draw!
— Andy Kelly (@AndyK_LivNews) December 11, 2017
Xabi Alonso still assisting for Liverpool. What a man.
— – (@AnfieldRd96) December 11, 2017
I've always loved Xabi Alonso…
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) December 11, 2017
”Well happy with that thanks Xabi I will be going defo can not wait.”
– Jason Antos on Facebook.
More than one supporter noted that an upgrade or two in January could help go a long way in Europe this season…
”If we can add Van Dijk and perhaps a good reliable goal keeper we have a good chance to get to the Semis and beyond!!”
– Kaushik Majumdar on Facebook.
”We can win the champions league, come February we will have a complete different team, good draw…”
– Nigel Conroy on Facebook.
And finally, it wouldn’t be a European draw without some chuckling over the non-involvement of certain other teams!
”Who have Everton got in the next round of the Europa League?!”
– Ian Pearce on Facebook.
Who did Arsenal get in the last 16?
— Dan Kennett (@DanKennett) December 11, 2017
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