Liverpool 3 Benfica 3 (agg 6-4): Firmino double helps Reds seal semi-final place and keep quadruple dream alive

JURGEN KLOPP wheeled out his fringe players for a Champions League quarter-final and the results were not exactly spectacular.

Yet Liverpool, despite being a bit sloppy, were never in any real danger of failing to make the last four.

And the Reds can now look forward to playing Villarreal, a town with a population of 50,000 meaning you could fit all of its residents inside Anfield.

Yet Klopp, who made seven changes from the epic 2-2 draw against Manchester City on Sunday, will still be concerned by the way the defence – albeit much-changed – ended up conceding three times at home.

And like on Sunday, they were exploited for playing a high line and always seemed to be struggling once the ball was played over their heads.

Equally, Klopp will be happy that the big guns were given a rest.

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But you can bet former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, and his band of Tottenham rejects such as on-loan Giovani Lo Celso, Etienne Capoue and Juan Foyth will be a bit trickier than Benfica.

Getting to the last four will mean another game in an already jam-packed April for Klopp which also sees clashes against Manchester United, Everton and Newcastle.

So once again, Klopp will have to use his squad which still looks impressive but as we saw last night, still has a few mistakes in them.

At least Bobby Firmino gave a reminder that he is still useful to have lurking around in the squad.

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He scored goals no 10 and 11 of what has proved to be a frustrating season which has seen Klopp split up his famous three musketeers.

Instead, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah have found themselves with new partners in crime, namely the ever-improving Diogo Jota but also Luis Diaz, who has proved to be a brilliant signing in January.

But Firmino’s two goals in the space of 10 second half minutes saw Liverpool lead 3-1 before they became complacent.

It was a new-look backine of Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Kostas Tsimikas.

Centre-back Konate scored his first goal for the club in Lisbon a week earlier and he once again struck against the same team.

It was a textbook header from Tsimikas’ outswinging corner yet Benfica’s players helped as, rather strangely, they all forgot to jump.

Darwin Nunez, a player wanted by half of the Premier League, delivered a neat finish in front of the Kop but his effort was ruled out as he was offside.

Yet it was a much tighter decision the next time Benfica got the ball in the net but after VAR check, Goncalo Ramos’ terrific strike stood.

Diogo Goncalves attempted to control the ball but came off James Milner and into the path of Ramos who hammered a shot with his right foot.

It was a great finish although Konate – who also delivered a howler in Lisbon which led to a goal – did not help himself by ball watching and forgot about Ramos.

Firmino had an easy chance for 2-1 although it came after a comedy of errors.

Benfica keeper Odisseas Vlachodimos spilled the ball as Diaz approached, Jan Vertongen panicked and delivered a terribly weak clearance out to Jota.

He then fell to the floor while crossing for Firmino.

Jota’s assist was his last contribution as he was immediately replaced by Salah.

Hilariously, Jordan Henderson saw he was being substituted and attached the captain’s armband to James Milner.

Yet seconds later, Milner then discovered he was being replaced and he was forced to jog over to Alisson to hand him the captaincy.

Firmino made it 3-1 with a lovely cushioned volley although the marking from Tsimakis’ free-kick was embarrassing.

But in the space of eight minutes Liverpool were exposed.

Roman Yaremchuk rounded Alisson to score after Matip was isolated by a great pass from Alejandro Grimaldo.

And then Benfica got a third after a VAR check, when Liverpool – and Matip – were caught square again before Nunez clipped a shot beyond Alisson.

Nunez had another goal ruled out for offside – his third of the night – in the fifth minute of injury-time.

A home loss would have certainly annoyed Klopp.

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But he is now through to his third Champions League final so even the German should not be moaning too much.

But after a night of relative ease, Liverpool must once again get into gear again for City on Sunday.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk