Liverpool 3-3 Benfica (6-4 agg) | Match Report

The stands were filled entirely with red as the Liverpool FC and Benfica faithful ascended upon the Merseyside stadium for a famous European night at Anfield. The crowds had clearly warmed their vocal cords up as there was a boisterously loud atmosphere from start to finish. There were plenty of thrills and spills in this game but ultimately the home side came out on top, finishing Liverpool 3-3 Benfica (6-4 agg) and progressing to the semi-final to face a vigilante Villarreal side. The goals came courtesy of Konate (21′), Firmino (55′, 65′)and Ramos (32′), Yaremchuk (73′) and Nunez (82′). 

Read on for our full report, or follow this link to watch the highlights. 

Image source: This is Anfield

Liverpool 3-3 Benfica (6-4 agg)

Champions League – Quarter Finals – Second Leg

Following a difficult trip to the Etihad at the weekend and riding on a 3-1 cushion, Jurgen Klopp shook things up significantly, making seven changes to his starting eleven. With a back four that was yet to feature together, naturally, there were some defensive frailties to be expected. Liverpool started the game brightly with Diogo Jota looking dangerous on the left as Diaz occupied the right. However, Benfica put up a good fight early on, winning the ball confidently and Everton coming close to curving the ball in after just twelve minutes. 

Ibrahima Konate opened the scoring (21′) shortly after with his towering cranium higher than all, courtesy of a  pin-point precise corner from Tsimikas. 

Benfica were quick to respond, a neat through-ball past a half-sleeping Liverpool defence found the feet of Nunez in a very dangerous area and chipped past Alisson. Thankfully, it was from an offside position. 

Benfica were not done there, on minute 31, 20 year-old Goncalo Ramos capitalised on a bounce off James Milner to launch the ball past Alisson, equalising the tally to 1-1, after a quick VAR check of course. 

Firmino was gifted a brilliant opportunity to get side ahead again, as Benfica’s goalkeeper found himself miles off his line and Firmino with the ball at his feet. Disappointingly, he squandered this opportunity, passing the ball instead of going for goal himself and seeing his attempted assist intercepted out of danger. 

HT: Liverpool 1-1 Benfica

Image Source: Twitter

Second Half

After the restart, Benfica were by and large the brighter side as Liverpool found themselves frequently overwehlmed and frustrated by Benfica winning the ball and creating dangerous chances. 

Thankfullly, Liverpool were able to restore their lead as a scuffed Diogo Jota shot found the feet of Firmino who was able to tap it in (55′) to make it 2-1 on the night.

Ten minutes later, Firmino would score his second, finding the ball from a brilliantly taken free kick from Tsimikas landing just yards out from Benfica’s goal. 3-1. 

While Liverpool now stood 6-2 (agg) ahead, the next half an our of play would be a painful affair for every Liverpool fan to endure. Every two passes from Benfica saw Liverpool carved wide open and their hazardous high line left them exposed over and over again. 

A through ball found Yaramechuk’s feet who slipped it through an unsuspecting Alisson, making it 3-2 (73′), after Another VAR check. Things are getting nervy for Liverpool as they are looking a shadow of their first-leg selves. 

Nine minutes later, Nunez would receive the ball from a cross that soared over every outfield Liverpool player, scoring past Alisson impressively to make it 3-3. Again, this would be checked for offside before being given by the referee. Shortly after, Nunez would be in again, almost scoring from low down. Thankfully Alisson kept it out. 

Sadio Mane came the closest to restoring the lead for Liverpool, unfortunately, his goal was ruled offside almost instantly. (What, no VAR check!?) In all fairness, he was a mile offside. 

Nunez was back once more on the cusp of the final whistle. Sliding the ball past Alisson with just seconds remaining. Thank goodness for the flag being raised but even more for the final whistle being blown shortly after. What a dire state of affairs this match was turning into for Liverpool but thankfully they were the victors.

Final Words

It was supposed to be so easy, wasn’t it? We went into this game 3-1 (agg) from the first leg at Benfica’s ground. Just keep a clean sheet, maybe score one or two to ease nerves and see the game out. Naturally, Liverpool FC strive to entertain by making tough work of it. 

They will be grateful of their first-leg cushion as it was ultimately what gave them the victory in the end. While the sides were matched at half-time, the second half was certainly Benfica’s for the taking. The flagsman and VAR team certainly earned their wages tonight as at least every ten minutes there was a raised flag or goal check. Did anyone else get a flashback from the game against Roma back in the 2017/18 season? We are through, that is all that counts. (And breathe).

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