
Coming off a sound 3-1 win in Lisbon, Portugal against Benfica, Liverpool had the home field advantage in the second leg at Anfield. Liverpool were able to strike early with two goals in Lisbon, but Benfica responded with exponentially increasing pressure. Benfica scored one, but Liverpool was able to score a late goal to have a sound aggregate lead heading into the second leg.
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, made a stunning 7 changes to the team from the first leg. Liverpool has a deep roster and all the players are capable of playing at a high level, but it is still very surprising to not start core players in a Champions League match. Liverpool played a 4-3-3.
1st leg Starting XI: Allison, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Keita, Thiago, Mane, Diaz, Salah
2nd leg Starting XI: Allison, Gomez, Matip, Konate, Tsimikas, Henderson, Milner, Keita, Diaz, Jota, Firmino
Benfica manager, Nélson Veríssimo, made only one change to his team, starting Diogo Goncalves instead of Rafa. Benfica played a 4-2-3-1.
1st leg Starting XI: Odysseas, Gilberto, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo, Rafa, Weigl, Taarabt, Everton, Ramos, Darwin
2nd leg Starting XI: Odysseas, Gilberto, Vertonghen, Otamendi, Grimaldo, Weigl, Taarabt, Everton, Goncalves, Ramos, Darwin
This was going to be a fiery game. Liverpool is always a different team in the Champions League, knowing what to do to win. Benfica doesn’t have the same caliber of players, but they know how to play together and always play excellent football. Benfica had the first major opportunity of the game 10 minutes in when Darwin Nunez took on Matip down the left hand side and beat him with ease. Nunez dribbled towards goal but couldn’t get a cross off. Allison handled the ball calmly.
Benfica had another chance a minute later, winning the ball in their defensive third. Liverpool were all on the left hand side of the field, leaving Everton wide open on the right. Everton took a long distance shot, closely missing the upper left corner.
As time went on, Liverpool woke up, having their first dangerous chance 19 minutes in. Firmino played a through ball to Luis Diaz down the sideline. Diaz crossed a ground ball across the face of the goal. Odysseas reacted instinctively, coming up with two saves, but that would not stop the Reds.
A minute later, Konante buried a near-free header in the bottom left off a corner from Tsimikas. 1-0 Liverpool (4-1 agg.)

Benfica weren’t ready to give up just yet. Darwin was slipped in behind and coldly chipped the ball over Allison, but he was offsides.
Liverpool responded with increased energy in the final third. Diaz found the ball at the top of the box, made Weigl fall, and tested Odysseas with a rocket, which the Benfica keeper stoutly saved.
Liverpool’s corner continued to be dangerous as they got in the swing of things. Diaz kept the ball in play, and Firmino’s point-blank header was blocked by Vertonghen for another corner.
Benfica found their spark in the 32nd minute as the ball went off James Milner’s foot and kept Ramos onside. Ramos didn’t waste the chance as he ripped a shot off. Allison had no chance as the crowd heard the net straining from the power of the shot. Benfica pulled the game level, and were back in it.

Liverpool’s chance to pull away again was foiled by Grimaldo. Benfica’s backline did not communicate as Otamendi and Weigl stepped too high and left a wide open pocket for Firmino to run into. Firmino drove towards goal and crossed the ball calmly to Diaz for a seemingly easy goal. Luckily, Grimaldo met it, and it went out for a corner.
Liverpool ended the half on the front foot with two well-placed shots from Keita and Gomez, but they didn’t amount to anything.
Veríssimo made the first change of the night at halftime, bringing on Yaremchuk for Goncalves.
In a simple mistake in the 56th minute, Odysseas couldn’t hold on to the ball and Vertonghen cleared the ball right to Diogo Jota who crossed it to Firmino for an easy tap-in. 2-1 Liverpool (5-2 agg.)

Klopp immediately brought on the Egyptian Mohammed Salah for Diogo Jota, Thiago for Milner, and Fabinho for Henderson after the goal.
In the 65th minute, Firmino once again was wide open for a volley tap-in as Tsimikas crossed in the ball from a set piece, sealing their Semi Final place. 3-1 Liverpool (6-2 agg.)
Both sides made changes after Firmino’s volley. Liverpool replaced Diaz with Sadio Mane and Benfica put on João Mario for Taarabt. Benfica would need a miracle to win the tie and try they did.
Vertonghen was able to find Grimaldo in the middle of the park, and Grimaldo played a beautiful through-ball to the substitute Yaremchuk. Yaremchuk evaded Allison and passed the ball into the back of the net in the 73rd minute. 3-2 Liverpool (6-3 agg.)

Veríssimo then brought on Paulo Bernardo for Ramos in the 78th minute, hoping fresh legs would spur his team to victory. Liverpool weren’t complacent just yet as the dangerous trio of Firmino, Salah, and Mane worked their magic on Benfica’s back line. Mane crossed the ball to Salah who cheekily back-heeled the ball to Firmino. Firmino’s shot was blocked by Grimaldo, denying him his hat-trick.
Liverpool was eager to score. Its backline was high up the field, ripe for an easy ball over the top. Benfica did just that, playing Nunez in who curled the ball around Allison into the bottom right corner. The game was all tied up 3-3 (6-4 agg.)

Liverpool’s back seven were completely asleep now, and Benfica took advantage. Nunez was set up again, this time for a volley, from a cross by Paulo Bernardo. Going bottom left, it looked like a sure goal but the Liverpool keeper came up with a fantastic save, stopping it with one hand in the 83rd minute.
The front 3 of Liverpool still had energy left to give. Salah masterfully got past the entirety of Benfica’s backline after a quick wall pass with Firmino and a few skill moves. His pass to Mane was offsides in the 90th minute.
Benfica made their final two substitutions of the night at the beginning of stoppage time, not looking to score two goals but to give minutes to those that hadn’t got much, including the old experienced captain Almeida and Gil Dias. Liverpool also made its final substitution as Origi came on for Firmino.
In a final effort for Liverpool, Salah received the cross from Tsimikas off a turnover from Bernardo. His left-footed curler missed high and wide a foot above the top left corner.
Benfica’s last attempt at goal was offside from Nunez in the 95th minute.
This game was a thriller plagued by the assistant referee’s flag. Countless opportunities were deemed offside but that didn’t stop the rollercoaster for both the Liverpool Faithful and Benfica fans.
Liverpool will take on Villarreal on Wednesday as they look to reach the final this year.
Check back in tomorrow for the last Quarter Final game before the match.
Here are the stats:
21’ Goal – Konate
32’ Goal – Ramos
45’ Substitution – Yaremchuk for Goncalves
55’ Goal – Firmino
57’ Substitution – Salah for Jota
58’ Substitution – Fabinho for Henderson
58’ Substitution – Thiago for Milner
65’ Goal – Firmino
66’ Substitution – Mane for Diaz
66’ Substitution – Mario for Taarabt
73’ Goal – Yaremchuk
78’ Substitution – Bernardo for Ramos
82’ Goal – Nunez
90+1’ Substitution – Gil Dias for Gilberto
90+1’ Substitution – Origi for Firmino
90+1’ Substitution – Almeida for Everton
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