LIVERPOOL visit Benfica in their next Champions League clash with the Reds seeking another semi-final berth.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have been imperious throughout the competition so far and are one of the favourites to win it.
Benfica overcame Ajax in the last-16 and will be hoping to overcome their underdog tags again in the quarter-finals.
They’ll first host Liverpool at the Estadio da Luz before travelling to Anfield next week.
The Reds will need Mohamed Salah and Co firing on all cylinders if they’re to advance to the next round, where a potential match-up with Bayern Munich awaits.
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- Benfica XI: Odysseas, Gilberto, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo, Weigl, Taarabt, Rafa, Everton, Ramos, Darwin.
- Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Keita, Thiago, Mane, Diaz, Salah.
Nothing taken for granted
Jurgen Klopp in his post-match press conference relayed how everything had gone how he expected today.
It was a tough game against a good team and nothing is over.
He made a point to state how it is only half-time and there was plenty of football still to be played.
Liverpool will know what is expected of them when they welcome Benfica to Anfield next Wednesday.
The magnificent seven
When Liverpool have beaten Benfica in the quarter-finals in both legs of the tie in this competition, they have gone on to lift the trophy.
Should The Reds win the second leg at Anfield, fans can start dreaming again.
Benfica have a tough task ahead of them if they hope to have any dreams of progressing to the next round.
Diaz the right mentality
Liverpool have been a long-term admirer of Luis Diaz.
They have scouted the player, looked at his Opta stats and even spoken to ex-Liverpool players now at Porto to see how they think he would fit in at the Anfield-outfit.
The truth of the matter is that Liverpool’s hand was forced into buying him in January with Tottenham in advanced talks with both player and club.
Jurgen Klopp did not hesitate to get the deal over the line and already in such a short Liverpool career we can see why.
Once, twice, three time’s a warning!
Benfica knew the risk they ran with the way they set up tactically could leave them open to the Liverpool counter-attack but it was a risk they had to take.
They needed to try and score goals to stand any chance of hoping to knock out the in-form Premier League side.
Everything had to go right for them tonight to pull off a shock win.
Liverpool had too much quality at their disposal and took their chances and with it, a nice two-goal lead to head back to Anfield with.
FT: Benfica 1-3 Liverpool
The referee brings the first leg of the quarter-final to a close.
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp would have taken this scoreline before the start of the game if you had offered it to them.
Luis Diaz topping the performance off with a goal against the huge rivals of his old club FC Porto.
Benfica 1-3 Liverpool – Jota chance!
90+6. The Portuguese player had the chance to score another goal for the visitors before the end.
He maybe should have done better with that effort.
After the keeper blocks, it deflects back off Jota for a goal kick.
Benfica 1-3 Liverpool
90+5. Fabinho and Otamendi are both looking to get the referee’s attention to come back onto the pitch.
It is good to see that both are okay after that clash of heads.
Liverpool will look to see the game out now.
Benfica 1-3 Liverpool
90+3. We will have a lot more added time here.
Fabinho is gingerly lifted to his feet.
The referee is checking if he is fit to continue.
Benfica 1-3 Liverpool
90+1. Play stops as Fabinho and another player are treated after a collision of heads.
No intent from either player, they were both looking at the ball.
If Fabinho cannot continue they will have to finish the game with ten men having used all of their substitutions.
Benfica 1-3 Liverpool
90. We are going to have an additional three minutes.
Benfica have a free kick and chance to get the ball in the box.
A goal for the home side will change the complexion of the game again.
Benfica 1-3 Liverpool
87. Big goal for Liverpool as Luis Diaz rounds the keeper and slots the ball into the net.
The pass seemed to deflect off Otamendi, kindly for the Columbian.
Diaz scores his first Champions League goal for his new team.
Goal – Luis Diaz (Liverpool)
Benfica 1-2 Liverpool
87. Joao Mario comes on for Benfica.
Liverpool are trying to manage the game now.
Frustrate their opponents.
Benfica 1-2 Liverpool
85. We are into the final five minutes and added time.
Alexander-Arnold tries an effort from distance.
The ball deflects off a defender and over the bar for a corner.
Benfica 1-2 Liverpool
83. Alisson has some minerals.
He comes out to intervene where he is unable to handle.
Touching the ball around the player, anything but perfection would have gifted the Benfica attacker a gift and caused great embarrassment for the Brazilian.
Benfica 1-2 Liverpool
81. Could history be about to repeat itself.
It looks like Yaremchuk is about to come on for Benfica.
He scored the equaliser in the 2-2 draw at home with Ajax in the last round for The Eagles.
Benfica 1-2 Liverpool
79. Liverpool will take this result right now.
They haven’t been at their best tonight but they have done enough to take a slight advantage back to Anfield with them.
This tie would by no means be over and would still hang in the balance.
Benfica 1-2 Liverpool
77. Benfica skip passed a few Liverpool challenges.
Rafa Silva gets the cross in and Trent-Alexander does well to clear.
Silva gets another crossing chance but overhits the ball.
Benfica 1-2 Liverpool
75. Time is starting to run out for the home side.
Liverpool gift the ball back with a misplaced pass.
No sooner do they lose possession but they win it back again.
Benfica 2-1 Liverpool
73. Liverpool seem more set up for a passing game now since the introduction of their substitutes.
They don’t seem to be trying to break quickly anymore when the home side lose possession.
Whistles ring out from the home fans.
Benfica 1-2 Liverpool
71. Nunez is still causing problems for the Liverpool back line.
The visitors come forward, knocking the ball around, happy to run the clock down now.
No really urgency to get the ball into the Benfica box which invites boos, jeers and whistles from the home fans.
Benfica 1-2 Liverpool
69. We enter an awkward stage of the game for both teams now.
The home side need to find a goal before the final whistle.
A draw would feel like a defeat now for Liverpool.
Meite comes on for Taarabt.
Benfica 1-2 Liverpool
67. Taarabt gives the ball away again in midfield.
Liverpool patiently start to play their way forward.
Kounate clips one forward looking to Diaz but he cannot find a teammate with his knocked down header.
Benfica 1-2 Liverpool
65. Firmino loses the ball to Soares.
He chases him down towards his own goal and wins a free kick.
The Benfica man adjudged to have caught him with a stray hand.
Benfica 1-2 Liverpool – Yellow card for Taarabt
63. Keita is chopped down by the Benfica midfielder as he cannot catch up with the Liverpool man.
Patient build-up play by the visitors as they look to take the edge out of this come advantage.
Liverpool are probing.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
