Benfica vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
Relive all the action from the quarter-final first leg in Lisbon
Winger Luis Diaz marked his return to Portugal with the crucial late goal which gave Liverpool a 3-1 lead over Benfica to take back to Anfield for their Champions League quarter-final second leg.
The former Porto star, signed in January, was booed relentlessly but he responded perfectly in the 87th minute to spare the blushes of Ibrahima Konate, whose mistake just over half an hour after scoring his first goal for the club had gifted the hosts a goal they had barely deserved.
Jurgen Klopp’s side had been coasting at half-time in the Estadio da Luz after Sadio Mane’s goal doubled the advantage given to them by their centre-back’s header but having squandered numerous chances, Konate’s legs got tangled as he tried to make a clearance early in the second half and Darwin Nunez capitalised.
It was a goal which significantly changed the game for a long period, as Benfica suddenly looked the better side with Liverpool completely out of sorts, but Diaz had the final word to make the return look slightly more comfortable than it had done.
Victory saw Liverpool, who had lost on their last three visits here, equal a club record of five successive away victories in Europe.
Relive all the action live below:
Benfica 1 - 2 Liverpool
78 mins: Would Benfica take this scoreline? A one-goal deficit heading to Anfield where it’s notoriously difficult to win. They’ve dropped the pace of their play as well.
Liverpool certainly seem to be trying to close out this game and maybe squeeze in another goal. They aren’t showing anywhere near the dominance they had in the first half.
Benfica 1 - 2 Liverpool
75 mins: Naby Keita drifts out to the left wing which allows Robertson to ease into space on the inside left channel. He receives the ball and attempts to thread it through to Luis Diaz but he’s strayed offside and doesn’t chase down the pass which rolls out for a goal kick.
Benfica 1 - 2 Liverpool
72 mins: Liverpool are trying to slow the game down. The first 20 minutes after the second half restart were played at a lightning pace with Benfica flinging men forward and trying to equalise.
Gilberto is fouled by the combination of Luis Diaz and Fabinho who both closed him down and he brings the ball into the visitor’s half.
Benfica 1 - 2 Liverpool
69 mins: Penalty shout! Liverpool’s high line is beaten with a simple pass through to Darwin Nunez. He keeps himself onside and sprints into the left side of the box. Virgil van Dijk manages to get back and sticks out an arm to stop Nunez checking inside. The Benfica striker feels the contact and goes to ground in a heap hoping for a penalty but the referee lets play go on.
Benfica 1 - 2 Liverpool
66 mins: Nearly! Another lovely diagonal ball from Alexander-Arnold drops beautifully for Andy Robertson’s overlapping run into the left side of the penalty area. He has a couple of options and decides to try and set up Firmino in the six-yard but his pass is blocked and cleared.
Benfica 1 - 2 Liverpool
63 mins: Triple change for Liverpool. Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara are hooked with Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson brought on.
Jurgen Klopp willl be hoping those changes bring a degree of control for Liverpool.
Benfica 1 - 2 Liverpool
60 mins: Save! Liverpool are all over the place as Benfica put together another decent attack. Ramos brings it down the left side and squares the ball into Everton. He brings the ball into the box and shoots but the effort comes too close to Alisson who drops low to his right and keeps it out!
Benfica 1 - 2 Liverpool
58 mins: Thiago gives the ball away with a sloppy pass and then gets booked for hacking down Rafa Silva in an attempt to win it back. The wheels are starting to come for Liverpool here, they need to compose themselves.
Benfica 1 - 2 Liverpool
55 mins: There’s a lot of belief from the Benfica fans now. The home side have come out from the second half with a bit of spirit and fight.
It’s been the perfect start for them. So much so that Jurgen Klopp is preparing some changes on the sidelines.
Benfica 1 - 2 Liverpool
52 mins: There are loud cheers of encouragement for Benfica whenever they come forward despite Liverpool regaining control of possession.
Nunez is almost played into the area again but Alisson is out quickly this time to beat him to the ball.
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