Full-time in Lisbon and Liverpool will enter the second leg of this quarter-final tie with a commanding 3-1 lead against Benfica.
It wasn’t plain sailing for Liverpool in the second half, as Nunez’s goal threatened to kick-start a Benfica comeback.
But Diaz’s late goal has put Klopp’s men in a great position, and Liverpool will heavily fancy themselves to finish the job at Afield next week.
Starting Lineup:
BENFICA (4-2-3-1): Odysseas Vlachodimos;
Gilberto, Nicolas Otamendi, Jan Vertonghen, Alex Grimaldo;
Julian Weigl, Adel Taarabt; Rafa Silva, Goncalo Ramos, Everton; Darwin Nunez.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alison;
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson;
Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho, Naby Keita;
Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz.
Goals:
Liverpool take the lead in Lisbon! Robertson’s left-wing corner is met with a bullet header from Konate, who was left completely unmarked by Benfica and powered his header into the bottom-right corner.
It is a stunning second goal for Liverpool, and it’s Mane who claims the final touch! Taarabt lost the ball in midfield, and Alexander-Arnold’s raking pass was headed across goal by Diaz, where Mane was waiting to tap home! 2-0 to the Reds.
GOAAAALLL! WE HAVE A GAME IN LISBON! Konate, who has been brilliant all game, is at fault as the Eagles claw a goal back! The Liverpool defender completely misses Silva’s low cross, and Nunez is there to finish neatly past Allison! 2-1.
IT’S GAME OVER AS LIVERPOOL GET A THIRD! Diaz has surely put this game beyond his old Portuguese rivals, racing onto a brilliant ball from Keita before rounding the keeper and rolling the ball home from a tight angle. A massive goal for the Reds.
Post-match reaction:
So, what’s next?
Liverpool may not have been at their scintillating best in Lisbon, and Benfica may feel aggrieved at not being awarded a penalty for Van Dijk’s challenge at 2-1.
Still, Klopp’s men have given themselves a chance to confirm a semi-final spot in eight days.
Meanwhile, the Reds will enter Sunday’s huge Premier League clash with Manchester City in fine spirits after another European win.
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