Liverpool looking to see out quarter-final tie against Benfica to set up Semi-Final clash with Villarael

Liverpool could be entering the Champions League semi-final stages tonight if they hold onto their first leg lead against Benfica.

The Reds enter the last eight tie off the back of a 2-2 draw with current Premier League leaders Manchester City, courtesy of goals from Diego Jota and Sadio Mané.

Last Sunday’s game was seen as the biggest in recent top-flight history, and viewers witnessed an extremely talented matchup between two elite footballing sides.

Jürgen Klopp’s gaze, however, will now be firmly concentrated on European competition. The first leg with Benfica saw the Merseyside club leave Portugal with a 3-1 victory, putting them firmly in the driver’s seat come this evening’s game.

The Eagles, at present, sit third in the Primeira Liga, 15 points behind Porto who occupy top spot. They come into the second leg off the back of a win over league strugglers Belenenses SAD, and will be hoping for an impressive turnaround at Anfield.

Team News

From a Liverpool standpoint, it appears Klopp has the ability to pick from a fully fit squad ahead of the quarter final tie. The Reds went into the City match with zero injury concerns, and they have seemingly arrived on the other side unscathed.

The German boss has, however, hinted at squad rotation, telling reporters: “The next game has no influence on the line-up for tomorrow night, but the last game has. We have to see, a really super-intense schedule.”

Benfica, on the other hand, are set to remain without Rodrigo Pinho and Lucas Veríssimo, who are both still recovering from Cruciate Ligament ruptures maintained towards the end of 2021.

Predicted Line-ups

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konaté, Robertson; Keita, Fabinho, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Díaz

Benfica (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo; Weigl, Taarabt; Silva, Ramos, Everton; Núñez

Head-to-Head

In the first-leg, Liverpool managed to escape with a 3-1 victory. The scoreline may paper over some cracks for the Reds however, who were constantly troubled throughout the second half by Benfica’s forward players.

Goals from Ibrahima Konaté, Mané and Luis Díaz cancelled out Darwin Núñez’s strike for the home side, putting Klopp’s men in pole position to reach the semi-final stage for the first time since 2019.

Liverpool are certainly favourites to win the overall tie, but their defence will have to improve after their last two showings against Benfica and Manchester City.

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