Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Four of the Porto players who played against Liverpool in the Champions League have suffered subsequent injuries as the Primeira League leaders continue to battle fitness problems in their squad.

Sergio Conceicao's side have bounced back superbly from their 5-0 defeat to the Reds in the Stadio do Dragao in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

They've won three straight games in the Primeira Liga, scoring 13 and conceding just once.

That has taken them to five points clear of their main rivals Benfica and Sporting Lisbon in the league with a huge match against Sporting coming up on Friday night.

Portuguese football correspondent Stephen Gullet, founder of playmaker_EN, said: "Porto's attention snapped back to the league immediately after the Liverpool defeat.

"They are now five points clear and all their energies are focused on the 'Clasico' with Sporting on Friday at the Dragao - a win in that game and they've one hand on the title."

Porto will though probably have to do without influential midfield powerhouse Danilo and striker Vincent Aboubakar - who have been missing for a while - as well as Brazilian full-back Alex Telles, Brazilian striker Tiqiuinho Soares, Mexican winger Jesus Corona, and full-back Ricardo Pereira, who all played some part against Liverpool.

(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Another change has come in the goalkeeping position after Portuguese youngster Jose Sa suffered a difficult night against Liverpool.

Former Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas has the gloves back and is expected to start the second leg at Anfield next week.

Porto's big target for the season now is to stop Benfica winning a fifth league title on the trot, a feat only ever achieved by Porto.