Jose Mourinho is convinced Porto have every chance of producing a surprise and knocking Liverpool out of the Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp's side meet Porto in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, the first leg at Anfield on April 9, and will be full of confidence having beaten them 5-0 over two legs in last season's competition.
But Mourinho, who coached Porto to Champions League glory in 2003-04, feels his old side will be a different proposition to the one that was easily swatted aside last year.
'The tie is open and what happened last year, I believe, can play for Porto in both games,' Mourinho said at the ANTF Coaches Forum in Portimao.
'Compared with last season, I think Sergio Conceicao will ask himself questions about what happened in order to do something different this time around.
'Liverpool have absolutely fantastic individual quality, but they are disputing the league title which means that they will not rest players in the previous game or between the two games.'
Liverpool's primary focus is keeping pace with Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title and that leaves the door ajar for Porto to capitalise.
Conceicao's team are themselves engaged in a fierce battle for the title - level with rivals Benfica on 66 points after 27 games - but they will be determined to prove they have learned lessons from the mauling to the Reds last season.
Porto are rank outsiders against the high-pressing, energetic Liverpool side that were losing finalists in 2017-18.
As for Mourinho, he has been out of work since he was sacked by Manchester United in December and recently revealed he has turned down as many as four job offers since leaving Old Trafford.
Having enjoyed some media work since departing United, he has expressed a desire to return ahead of next season and he remains keen to add to his two Champions League titles - Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010.
zaoemnoruz
1
Liverpool will beat Porto
boneklsy
0
I see so many underestimating Porto. Mourinho is right about the issues of resting players. Everything he said is correct. You should keep an open mind, he was once the best, and the last coach to win the Champions with 2 non-superpowers. That said, obviously Liver is favorite, I love to watch their games, just hope Porto can put up a good fight
Wonelouy
0
tht will neva happn Porto? taking chances 4 sure
Bikadoptuz
0
Mou is a professional amateur when it comes to football match forecast and analysis... This is the same way he was running his mouth before we played and eliminated Bayern Munich... Mind you, opinion is free and it is a right. So he owns his mouth and has the right to spew whatever balderdash that suits him... My advised to my team is not to underestimate Porto or lose focus.. Common Liverpool! YNWA.
Numanr
0
in world football, Mourinho's opinion matters, but not this time. he is wailing instead of advancing raw statistics on how Porto will eliminate Liverpool in the quarter finals. recall that Mourinho said the same thing, Bayern Munich v Liverpool, after the win, he kept off congratulating Liverpool. l welcome him as a pundit in our game with Porto on Tuesday night at Anfield.
Nukbeimty
0
go and look for job talkative mo
Elvis98
1
mourinho needs brain wash porto beating liverpool aint possible
vusabikpru
0
Liverpool will never be a friend of Mourinoh. So for us we don't care
hauaeors
1
bipeklmosz
0
klopp is the coach of the month..... morinho just keep quiet, we know you are against Liverpool because they lead to your sack
Nidbkotyz
1
Mou gave us no chance against Bayern. He has never said anything positive abt Liverpool. He is now proving to be a real hater. He doesn't learn with all his negative views about Liverpool. Please mind your own business and get a job first
melonody95
1
The aggregate will be 10-0. mark my word Mourihno!
naocdiklrt
2
he is still in the moment of madness...special failure one...
Notdim
0
Like liverpool shack u,proto cannot do JK side never make a dream too big.
zubaklpy
0
The owners of Man City are now paying his wages through Bein sports,so don't expect nice things about Liverpool from him.
Viailmnpt
1
actually mourinho he needs to be Liverpool coach that's why everyday he talks about Liverpool,
Puakmoprsz
0
Oh ok Mo, weno bore one bit
Bewacinpsu
1
His thought and opinion about Liverpool don't count. He was 99.9 percent confident Bayern would trash Liverpool but here we are cruising to the final. Man his still Bittered Liverpool and Klopp made him lose his jobs on different occasions.
Baedikmptu
1
why mourinho always talking rubbish against us
nebakly
0
this guy just hates Liverpool, he said same thing to bayern
I like him as a coach but he his loosing it..
Singapore976396
1
Just hope Liverpool don't make the mistakes that PSG make against Man U.
Cawcdnrtuz
0
you guys have to read and understand what he's trying to say before castigating him. he based his judgement on the fact that Liverpool are chasing the EPL so they will be forced to filled their best squad in a league match prior to the match with Porto that way risking their best players in the process to injuries or fatigue.
Porto too is Portuguese league so what is the difference here??
Fiobdimnrs
2
porto maybe a different team now but Liverpool is a very strong and complete one. mourinho only talk porto cos thats his team
Saocinuy
2
It will be over before the 2nd leg
AZlfc
2
Everyone knows Jose Mourinho to be a mouthed manager ; nevertheless, Liverpool should not underrate Porto because Porto will be planning to stage a dramatic and emphatic comeback. But in the long, Liverpool will eliminate Porto. Let's go there, YNWA.
Fimcenrst
1
Lets wait and see.
wiacdesyz
0
did he think the same thot when we beat him n he was fired later?
Pumacdlpsu
0
what Mourihno is saying is true, Liverpool must not underestimate Porto they are different club now
cuseopu
0
nonesince we can't put or egg in one basket thinking we are chasing EPL
Leebkpst
0
Mourihno, you're finished
Tihacdlst
2
this guy just hates Liverpool, he said same thing to bayern
Azmat1
2
He is dreaming
pebekostz
0
because we make im get sack 2 times Chelsea an man utd so im don't like us .wen we beat Bayern we still a fight fe d premier league so whats the point
putaekuyz
1
mou you are wasting your time never walk alone even you know yourself
shascan009
1
he wants to show relevant..but he's not
shascan009
1
come on dude..
Ballen Tino
0
he want us to win.. and beat man utd, anytime after that..
cuzbdlmuz
1
Are you an expert? Yes you're the special fool, that's why you can explain many things...but...wrongly
MubianaKapuwamba
2
Am a Liverpool Die Hard Fan but he some sense in What he is saying as Liverpool our 1st priority is the League but never underestimate what Liverpool can do and the quality we has have in our squad the depth we can swipe away any team in Europe #YNWA
Sicbnstz
3
you guys have to read and understand what he's trying to say before castigating him. he based his judgement on the fact that Liverpool are chasing the EPL so they will be forced to filled their best squad in a league match prior to the match with Porto that way risking their best players in the process to injuries or fatigue.
Mapbilmorz
0
he is on it again,does he really think this Porto team will win against the mighty Liverpool keep on dreaming we are all the way to the final just like last season and will eventually win thus time around
Mrlpl
2
This is the guy with no job
Edoo87
2
he just talk too much [Hitface][Hitface][Hitface]
Evgeni26100
0
He is biased because he coached Porto before
flax
3
KEEP IT TO YOURSELF MO, WE DON'T NEED THAT [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Zuebklsu
1
always red...common red show him what you got
Fionnos26o
1
Hopefully Liverpool will ignore and keep playing as they are, because right now there on a winning streak.
SonOfKop
2
Why is he hating?
hekabektz
0
you are a serious hater sir.....we are the red family.....wait we will show you..
Mefipool。
0
When ever Jose talk about Liverpool it usually turns to the opposite. Keep talking negative things and whats gonna be due is a positive result.