Liverpool vs Benfica LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight as Red into semi-finals
Relive the action from Anfield as Liverpool reach the Champions League semi-finals
Liverpool progressed to the semi-finals of the Champions League after a goal fest in their quarter-final second leg against Benfica at Anfield.
Ibrahima Konate scored his second goal of the tie to put Liverpool three goals up on aggregate just after the 20 minute mark before Goncalo Ramos fired in an equaliser to send the teams into half-time at 1-1 (4-2agg).
Liverpool stepped it up after the restart and seemingly finished off the game hust after the hour mark following a brace from Roberto Firmino to put them four goals clear on aggregate. That comfort began to show as they slackened off defensively allowing Benfica to take advantage of their high line with runs in behind.
Substitute Roman Yaremchuk snuck in through the middle as Joel Matip was too slow to get out and his calm finish kept Benfica hopes alive. They still needed three goals to regain parity and a remarkable comeback was seemingly on when Darwin Nunez netted with 10 minutes or so to play.
Liverpool managed the tense final minutes well and kept Benfica at bay. Both teams had goals disallowed in the closing stages but ultimately the task was too great for the visitors as Liverpool closed out the game.
Relive all the action from Anfield as Liverpool beat Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals:
Liverpool vs Benfica
Both teams played a match in their respective domestic leagues in between these two Champions League legs. Liverpool journeyed to the Etihad and earned a point in a close-fought contest with Manchester City that eventually finished 2-2, leaving the Reds a point behind the Premier League leaders in the race for the title.
In the Primeira Liga, Benfica got back to winning ways with Darwin Nunez bagging a hat-trick during a 3-1 victory over Belenenses SAD. Can they bring that form to Anfield tonight?
Liverpool vs Benfica
Jurgen Klopp says he will look to change up his starting XI for tonight’s Champions League quarter-final as he calls on fresher players to get Liverpool over the line this evening.
The Liverpool boss may also have one eye on resting some of his key players ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City in what will be another intense and difficult game.
"Nobody is injured but we need to look who is fresher for the game and stuff like this," said Klopp. "The next game has no influence on the line-up but the last game has."
Liverpool vs Benfica: Early team news
Ibrahima Konate, who scored against Benfica in Lisbon last week, is likely to replace Joel Matip or Virgil van Dijk at centre-back and midfielder Naby Keita could return to Liverpool’s midfield.
Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz look set to start up front with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane potentially rested ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City at the weekend.
Rafa Silva has been ruled out with injury in a blow to Benfica’s chances over overturning their two-goal deficit.
Liverpool vs Benfica
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Liverpool vs Benfica as the Reds seek to reach the Champions League semi-finals and set up a clash with Villarreal.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have a healthy two-goal cushion after winning the first leg 3-1 away from home - thanks to goals from Ibrahima Konate, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz - but they will be aware of the threat posed by Benfica’s Darwin Nunez. He scored a consolation goal for the Portuguese side in the previous leg and followed that up with a hat-trick against Belenenses SAD at the weekend.
Following Liverpool’s intense 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp may take the opportunity to rest some of his key men and give his fringe players some gametime in a highly competitive match. The Champions League allows for five substitutions during a game and Klopp can always call on the big guns if things look to be going Benfica’s way this evening.
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