LIVERPOOL visit Benfica in their next Champions League clash with the Reds seeking another semi-final berth.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have been imperious throughout the competition so far and are one of the favourites to win it.
Benfica overcame Ajax in the last-16 and will be hoping to overcome their underdog tags again in the quarter-finals.
They’ll first host Liverpool at the Estadio da Luz before travelling to Anfield next week.
The Reds will need Mohamed Salah and Co firing on all cylinders if they’re to advance to the next round, where a potential match-up with Bayern Munich awaits.
What time does Benfica vs Liverpool kick-off?
- Liverpool’s trip to Benfica will get underway from 8pm UK time on Tuesday, April 5.
- The game will take place at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal.
- There will be a sold-out capacity crowd in attendance at the match.
- The sides last met in 2006, when Benfica won 2-0 at Anfield to knock Rafa Benitez’s holders out of the Champions League.
What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
- Benfica will be shown live on BT Sport 3 in the UK.
- You can live stream the action from the BT Sport app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
Coverage begins at 7.15pm.
Team news
Trent Alexander-Arnold was on the bench against Watford at the weekend so could slot into Liverpool’s XI this time around after his hamstring injury.
Joel Matip will likely play after recovering from an ankle problem.
Klopp could freshen things up in attack with Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane coming in for Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Rodrigo Pinho is absent for Benfica, but familiar Premier League foes Nicolas Otamendi and Jan Vertonghen could start.
Odds
- Benfica – 8/1
- Draw – 4/1
- Liverpool – 4/11
- Benfica to qualify – 8/1
- Liverpool to qualify – 1/16
*Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication.
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Goal – Ibrahim Konate (Liverpool)
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Benfica 0-0 Liverpool
15. As Liverpool knock the ball around, Keita finds himself with a sniff at goal again.
His shot is beaten away and the ball breaks to Alexander-Arnold again.
He cannot get over it fully it goes over the bar.
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Benfica 0-0 Liverpool – Keita chance!
13. As Liverpool get towards the Benfica goal, it breaks to Keita who shoots straight at the keeper.
The ball rebounds to Trent-Alexander out wide but he cannot wrap his foot around it as much as he would have liked.
Keeper did well both times.
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Benfica 0-0 Liverpool
11. Liverpool look comfortable in possession on the ball.
This will wear the Portuguese side down as the game goes on.
The front three of Liverpool are constantly looking for the ball and making runs for the pass.
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Benfica 0-0 Liverpool
9. Benfica are attacking in a high-octane style.
Their only issue is over-running the ball or a disappointing pass.
Liverpool counter, Salah is in but a sliding challenge from Otamendi stops him in his tracks.
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Benfica 0-0 Liverpool
7. The noise in the stadium is deafening.
A Liverpool goal would silence them, but they need to keep their opponents out at the same time.
Diaz almost finds Salah in the box, close!
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Benfica 0-0 Liverpool
5. Nunez is drifting out to the right-hand side early on.
He crosses and while Trent-Alexander looks to clear, his is almost closed down by Benfica.
Ball deflects for a goal kick.
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Benfica 0-0 Liverpool
3. Benfica win the ball back out wide.
The break as Silva cuts inside but Kounate steps in.
Looking for a free-kick as he is muscled off the ball, the referee not interested at all.
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Benfica 0-0 Liverpool
1. It is a cagey start by both teams in the opening exchanges.
Benfica are running at the Liverpool players on the ball with high-tempo.
The visitors are happy to pass the ball around and get a feel for it.
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Kick-off: Benfica vs Liverpool
We are underway at Estadio da Luz.
Liverpool get the game started.
It is a cauldron of an atmosphere here.
Let’s hope the game lives up to it.
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Hunger for the kill
European success is something in Benfica’s DNA.
The fans have long craved some silverware.
They will do their part in making the Estadio da Luz.
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Looking to bounce back
Benfica saw their nine-game unbeaten run end on the weekend, losing 3-2 to Sporting Braga away from home.
Free-scoring Darwin Nunez scored from the spot on the weekend after coming on as a substitute.
The youngster has attracted a lot of attention from clubs across Europe.
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Home is where the heart is
Nelson Verissimo gave his thoughts on playing at home in the first leg:
From our perspective it’s good to play the first game here, we’re going to have the Estádio da Luz sold out, we’re going to count on the 12th man and that’s going to make all the difference because, with that contribution from our fans, the team will certainly catapult itself to a good exhibition.
Nelson Verissimo
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the three friends
Benfica have a number of players on yellow cards who would miss the second-leg if booked in tonight’s game.
Jurgen Klopp has gone for his quickest front-three giving him options to stretch the home defence.
Despite a number of changes for Liverpool Salah, Mane and Diaz all start.
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Ghosts to exorcise
Liverpool were sent packing at this stage by Real Madrid in the 2020-21 Champions League.
The home defeat by Inter in the last round is the only game Liverpool have not won in their last 17 games across all competitions.
The Reds have a 100% away record in this season’s competition.
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Estadio da Luz filling up
As we edge nearer to kick-off the stadium is filling up.
Liverpool will have to play the atmosphere and fans as much as their opponents this evening.
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Giving fans ride to remember
Klopp spoke about what he and his players want to do for the club and supporters:
We just want to make this season an unforgettable one, for the players, the staff and supporters. We should just enjoy it, go there and give it our all. If it’s not enough, we go again next season.
Jurgen Klopp
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Liverpool subs:
7. Milner, 9. Firmino, 12. Gomez, 14. Henderson, 15. Oxlade-Chamberlain, 17. Jones, 18. Minamino, 20. Jota, 21. Tsimikas, 32. Matip, 62. Kelleher, 67. Elliott.
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Liverpool starting XI:
Keita returns for Liverpool in midfield.
Klopp opts for Salah, Mane and Diaz for his front-three.
1. Alisson, 66. Alexander-Arnold, 5. Konate, 4. Van Dijk, 26. Robertson, 8. Keita, 3. Fabinho, 6. Thiago, 11. Salah, 10. Mane, 23. Diaz
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Benfica subs:
11. Meité, 14. Seferovic, 15. Yaremchuk, 17. Cupido Goncalves, 20. João Mário, 22. Lazaro, 23. Radonjic, 31. Bastião Dias, 34. Magalhães de Almeida, 55. Goncalves Bernardo, 77. Aleixo Leite , 91. Rodrigues da Silva
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Benfica starting XI:
Taarabt returns for the hosts and will offer Premier League experience along with Otamendi and Vertonghen.
99. Vlachodimos, 2. Junior, 30. Otamendi, 5. Vertonghen, 3. Grimaldo, 28. Weigl, 49. Taarabt, 27. Ferreira Silva, 88. Matias Ramos, 7. Sousa Soares, 9. Nunez
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The Eagle has landed
Benfica have created an intimidating atmosphere in Estadio da Luz.
They will look to attack their opponents from the off with the fans in full voice.
Any early goal, as against Barcelona, can give The Eagles a lead to take back to Anfield for the second-leg.
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Fond travels abroad
Liverpool travelled to Portugal in the group stage, winning 5-1 against FC Porto.
Klopp’s side have won all four of their away games in the Champions League so far this season.
The Reds have scored 12 goals in the process.
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Good enough to do this
The Benfica coach told everyone what tonight’s holds for them:
We must recognize that Liverpool has a team with very high individual and collective power, coached by a manager who needs no introduction. We know we must be at a very good level in these two games, and we believe we can fight for qualification against Liverpool, like I said before the game against Ajax, 50/50 stakes.
Nelson Verissimo
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Fear the Lisbon roar
The Eagles have won 6 of their last 8 home games in the Champions League.
Liverpool will have to be on their guard or risk going the same way as Barcelona this season.
On the weekend, despite defeat, Benfica kept up their impressive record of having scored in every game since the turn of the year.