WATCH: Mane Hat Trick, Salah, Firmino Goals Lead Liverpool in UCL Rout of Porto
Liverpool's high-powered attack showed up at Estadio Do Dragão on Wednesday. Unfortunately for host Porto, its did not.
Sadio Mane scored a hat trick, and Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino scored as well, as Liverpool continued its high-scoring ways with a 5-0 rout of Porto in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 series.
Porto was without star striker Vincent Aboubakar, but its defense appeared inactive as well, with the Reds scoring at will and zapping the series of any potential drama as it shifts to Anfield next month.
Otavio came up with the game's first good chance, nearly putting Porto ahead in the 10th minute, but his early chance was blocked by Dejan Lovren and put out for a corner, which amounted to nothing.
Liverpool began to open things up 10 minutes later, with Firmino pushing forward and finding Salah in the box, but his cross was cleared out for a corner.
Liverpool found its breakthrough in the 26th minute from Mane, who took advantage of a bit of a howler from goalkeeper Jose Sa. He was set up by Georginio Wijnaldum, who worked his way into the box before the ball found its way to the Senegal star.
Salah followed three minutes later with Liverpool's second. James Milner hit the bar, but Salah followed with an incredible touch to keep control and volley the ball to himself before putting in his 30th goal in all competitions this season.
Mane made it three in the 53rd minute off a lethal counterattack. Firmino had a chance stopped, but the rebound fell to Mane, who converted for his second of the day.
If there were any shred of doubt remaining, Firmino erased it with a first-time finish from the center of the box, making it 4-0 in the 69th minute.
Liverpool wasn't done there, either. Mane completed his hat trick in the 84th minute, making it 5-0 and sending Liverpool back to Anfield with plenty to be happy about.
Here were the lineups for both teams:
The second leg will take place on March 6 in Liverpool.
