They lived up to their role as favourites: Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC won the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Benfica – and impressed with dream goals.
Said in advance Jürgen Klopp above Benfica Lisbon: “Benfica is extremely strong – especially if you let them have their way.” But that’s exactly what Liverpool left in the quarter-final first leg Champions League not to and won 3:1.
The gates in Portugal shot Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté (17th), Sadio Mane (34th), Benfica’s Darwin Núñez (49th) and “Reds” star Luis Díaz (87th).
Konate hits with his head
The guests put pressure on Benfica from the start. So it was only a matter of time before the first goal was scored. After two huge chances by Mo Salah and Naby Keita but then Ibrahima Konaté headed for the 1-0 (17th minute). Liverpool FC. Benfica then looked shocked to have conceded a goal from a corner. Nevertheless, the hosts didn’t give up and kept trying to get through – without success.
In return, the “Reds” increased to 2-0 through Sadio Mané (34th). It got a little quieter in the stadium as a result. However, things turned around after the half-time break when goal scorer Konaté of all people developed a lack of concentration and Benfica’s Darwin Núñez took advantage of the situation – and scored the goal to make it 2-1 (49th).
collision just before the end
Benfica dominated the game in the second half and oozed confidence. Nevertheless, coach Nélson Veríssimo’s team failed to score. Luis Díaz increased the score to make it 3-1 (87th) for the guests from the island.
There was an ugly scene just before the end when Benfica’s defender Nicolás Otamendi and Liverpool’s Fabinho collided in a head-to-head duel. Otamendi got a head bandage and continued playing. Fabinho saw a cut on his head. Both have been treated.
The second leg at the “Reds” will take place on April 13 at 9 p.m. (in the t-online live ticker). The victory in the first leg gives the Klopp team all the better chances of reaching the semi-finals of the premier class to move in. The last time Liverpool FC was able to win the handle pot was in 2019.