Liverpool Will Face Villarreal In Semi-final After Thrilling Draw With Benfica In Champions League

Liverpool qualified to the Champions League semi-finals with a 6-4 aggregate victory over Benfica, despite a boisterous second leg at Anfield. With seven changes to the squad, including a new back four, Liverpool got off to a slow start, maintaining a two-goal advantage from the first leg, with Benfica looking the more dangerous early on.

The Reds, though, swiftly pushed their way into the game, notably on the left-wing, where Diogo Jota looked dangerous in his more natural wide role while Luis Diaz moved to the right. Ibrahima Konate again broke the deadlock for Liverpool against Benfica with a straightforward header. Leaping over Nicolas Otamendi to tip in a Kostas Tsimikas corner. Within 11 minutes, though, Benfica was back in the game, with Goncalo Ramos, 20. Profiting from a lucky bounce off James Milner and finds himself in space to make it 1-1 on the night.

Following a Milner clearing, Liverpool team Roberto Firmino found himself in a similar situation. But despite Odysseas Vlachodimos stranded outside the box, the No. 9 chose to thread a ball through for Diaz, which well stopped. Benfica started brighter, the first caused by Jan Vertonghen. And ended with Firmino tapping in Jota’s scuffed shot. The squad’s strength demonstrate when Jurgen Klopp brought in the trio of Mohamed Salah, Fabinho. And Thiago with the aggregate score at 5-2 as minutes managed ahead of the FA Cup semi-final. See more

Liverpool quickly regained the lead

However, it was two players who had started the game who connected for the third goal. With Tsimikas providing the assist and Firmino Liverpool team scoring with a superb volley from the left-free-kick back’s. To make the game more exciting, Roman Yaremchuk took advantage of Joe Gomez and Alisson’s sloppy play by racing on to a through ball and converting for a 3-2 lead.

Liverpool Darwin Nunez then drew the game level with a brilliant finish that eluded offside. Energizing the Benfica fans in front of Alisson’s goal as the hosts’ apathy set in. Liverpool, fortunately, was able to hold on and escape a serious scare. Retaining their first-leg lead and securing Champions League qualification.

Read also: Villarreal Shocked Bayern Munich To Reach UEFA Champions League Semifinals