The Premier League side secured a comfortable 3-1 victory in the first leg at Estadio da Luz and are aiming to set up a clash with either Bayern Munich or Villarreal in the semi-finals.
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With one foot firmly in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, Liverpool will host Benfica at the Anfield for the second leg of the quarter-final tie on Wednesday night. The Premier League side secured a comfortable 3-1 victory in the first leg at Estadio da Luz and are aiming to set up a clash with either Bayern Munich or Villarreal in the last-4. Meanwhile Benfica has a mammoth task in front of them, to overturn a two goal deficit against one of the title contenders and that too away from home. Â
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Attentions turn to the second-leg of our #UCL quarter-final! ?? pic.twitter.com/rfuh4KGvMd
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 11, 2022
The Reds head into the contest on the back of a hard fought 2-2 draw against the Premier League leaders on Sunday. In an action-packed encounter at Etihad stadium, Jurgen klopp’s side twice came from behind to secure a point. Meanwhile the result ended Liverpool’s five-game winning run in all competitions.
Kevin de Bruyne’s opener was canceled out by Diogo Jota before Gabriel Jesus restored City’s lead and then Sadio Mane leveled the score at 2-2. Klopp deployed a full-strength starting eleven against the leaders, since it was a crucial top of the table clash and it would be interesting to see whether the German tactician will make any changes to the team on Wednesday. Playing three crucial games in the space of seven days is not an easy task by any means.Â
In the first leg, last week, Ibrahima Konate opened the scoring for the Reds before Mane doubled the lead. Although Darwin Nunez pulled one back for the hosts, a late goal from Luis Diaz restored the two goal lead and sealed Liverpool’s victory.
The odds are against Benfica heading into Wednesday’s game, but Nelson Verissimo’s side would be aiming to upset the 2019 champions. Once again the onus would be on in-demand striker Nunez to lead the attack. The Uruguayan is in stunning form having scored a hat-trick in his side’s 3-1 league win over Belenenses in the weekend. The 22-year-old has 31 goals to his name, this season, making him one of the hottest strikers in European football right now.Â
Klopp is working with a fully fit squad at present. Takumi Minamino, Harvey Elliott, Divock Origi and Alex Oxlade-chamberlain were all left out of the squad for Sunday, giving Klopp a wealth of fresh options for Wednesday. The German coach might opt to bring in Roberto Firmino and Diaz back into the playing eleven alongside Mohammad Salah.Â
As for Benfica, Lucas Verissimo is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury alongside striker Rodrigo Pinho. Meanwhile defender Jan Vertonghen will be available for selection after a domestic ban.
Liverpool possible starting lineup: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Keita, Fabinho Jones, Salah, Firnimo, Diaz.Â
Benfica possible starting lineup: Vlachodimos, Gilberto, Vertonghen, Otamendi, Grimaldo, Silva, Weigl, Taarabt, Everton, Ramos, Nunez.
The Champions League quarter-final fixture between Liverpool and Benfica will take place at the Anfield and it will kick-off at 12:30 am IST on Thursday, April 14.
The match will be live streamed on the SonyLIV app and website, and the JioTV mobile app. Meanwhile football fans in India can also enjoy the action on TV networks, as the competition is telecasted on the Sony Ten network.
