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:
GOAL! Benfica 1 - 2 Liverpool (Nunez, 49’)⚽️
49 mins: Game on! It’s terrible mistake from Ibrahima Konate who completely misses the ball following Rafa Silva’s cross. The cross comes in from the right side and Konate should clear it. Instead he attempts to control the ball but it rolls under his foot and into the path of Darwin Nunez. He’s got time to stop the ball and then pick his spot with a fine finish to bring Benfica back into this game.
Benfica 0 - 2 Liverpool
48 mins: Liverpool start the second half on the front foot with Luis Diaz driving the ball down the left wing. He takes on Gilberto, shimmies around the defender and cuts the ball back into the box from the byline but Ramos is back there to help out and he clears the Benfica lines.
Second half: Benfica 0 - 2 Liverpool
Kick off: Benfica get the game back underway. Can the home side get themselves back into the game of will Liverpool run away with it ahead of the second leg at Anfield?
Benfica 0 - 2 Liverpool
Following Ibrahima Konate’s goal - his first in the Champions League - Liverpool have had 20 different goalscorers in all competitions this season, more than any other Premier League side.
Benfica 0 - 2 Liverpool
This is the 11th meeting between Liverpool and Benfica in European competition - no side have the Reds have faced more in Europe than the Portuguese giants (also 11 v Chelsea).
Benfica 0 - 2 Liverpool
It was a dominant first half for Liverpool who were rewarded with goals from Ibrahima Konate and Sadio Mane. More of the same in the second half?
Half-time: Benfica 0 - 2 Liverpool
45 mins: No added minutes to play and the first half ends with Liverpool in control. Jurgen Klopp will be pleased with what he’s seen so far but will want a couple more goals and a clean sheet to round off a what would be a perfect night for Liverpool.
Benfica 0 - 2 Liverpool
44 mins: Chances! Another brilliant pass from Alexander-Arnold sees Salah sprinting into the right side of the box. He’s moving quickly and prods a shot at goal onlf to be denied by Vlachodimos!
Benfica then break with a pass to Ramos who shrugs away Van Dijk on his way into the Liverpool area before belting is own effort high and wide.
Benfica 0 - 2 Liverpool
40 mins: It’s a toss up between Naby Keita and Luis Diaz as to who wants to score more tonight.
Diaz comes close as the former Porto forward - who has been booed all night so far whenever he’s touched the ball - fizzes a decent effort from outside the box just wide of the left hand post.
Benfica 0 - 2 Liverpool
37 mins: Everton tries to get one back for Benfica by shuffling inside from the left wing and drilling a right-footed shot at goal from outside the box. He strikes it well but he’s too far out to really challenge Alisson who catches the ball and clings on with seeming ease.
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