Liverpool host Benfica with an eye on a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League, as they welcome the Portuguese side to Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were in control for the first half in Lisbon during the first leg of the quarter-final, with goals from Ibrahima Konate and Sadio Mane no less than they deserved. Benfica made life uncomfortable for the visitors when Darwin Nunez halved the deficit after the break, and the home team even looked like levelling the tie at times, but Luis Diaz’s goal late on restored Liverpool’s two-goal cushion and put them in the driving seat.
This game is sandwiched in between Liverpool’s two matches against Manchester City. An eye-catching 2-2 draw last weekend kept things tight at the top of the Premier League, while the sides face off at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday. With the Merseyside outfit competing on multiple fronts, Klopp will have to be careful with just how much he shuffles his pack.
Benfica have no such worries. Nelson Verissimo’s side are way off the pace in the league and were knocked out of both domestic cups by Porto and Sporting CP, meaning they have little left to play for other than going as far in Europe as they can. A trip to Sporting on Sunday beckons, but it remains to be seen what effect that will have on team selection, if any.
With Bayern Munich unceremoniously dumped out of the competition by Villarreal, the Spanish side are all that sits between the winner of this tie and a place in the Champions League final. Benfica face a tough task but, for Liverpool, European honours once again look like a realistic possibility.
Sporting News is following the match live and providing live score updates, commentary.
MORE: Did Jota and Salah show Liverpool’s edge over Man City in Premier League title race?
Liverpool vs. Benfica live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Liverpool | 1 | — | — |
| Benfica | 1 | — | — |
Goals:
BEN — Ramos — 31st min.
LIV — Konate (Tsimikas) — 21st min.
Liverpool vs. Benfica live updates, highlights from Champions League
Halftime: The half ends with the sides trading efforts. Gomez half volleys a pass from Henderson that doesn’t really trouble Vlachodimos, before Everton’s shot from distance is held by Alisson, before the flag goes up. Benfica aren’t out of the tie just yet, but Liverpool’s two goal cushion is intact.
46th min: A Keita shot from outside the arrow fizzes just wide of the post, he hit across the ball slightly as a Jota cross was cleared to him. He shot from around forty metres earlier, and it went high over the bar, so he’s getting closer. Before that, Benfica strung together a good passing move, the most comfortable they’ve looked so far tonight.
42nd min: Benfica look they have a little more belief since that goal went in. They’re pressing high at times, but it’s not too much of a problem for Liverpool to play through them.
Ramos’ goal for USA:
Goncalo Ramos HIT that.
Benfica aren’t giving up with out a fight. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/SPSZEHmcIk
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 13, 2022
38th min: Liverpool haven’t been deterred, but they’ve spurned the most ridiculous of chances. Firmino gets onto the end of a ball in Benfica’s half, with Vlachodimos caught in no man’s land as he comes for the ball and stops, halfway. He’s way out of his goal, but Firmino opts not to try and him, giving him time to get back in his area. The attacker looks to be making room on his left, to take a shot, but ends up trying to slide in Luis Diaz at the far post instead. It looks set for the Colombian to tap in, but Grimaldo slides in just in time, to take the ball off the attacker’s foot. A remarkable series of events.
Ramos’ goal for Canada:
Benfica is right back in it after a great strike from Goncalo Ramos 💥 pic.twitter.com/bASKEdFOHT
— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) April 13, 2022
Ramos’ goal for AUS:
Benfica drill home an equaliser 💥#StanSportAU | #UCL | #LIVSLB pic.twitter.com/i0asrxtZzk
— Stan Sport Football (@StanSportFC) April 13, 2022
32nd min: GOAL!
They’re not out of it yet! The ball comes to Ramos somewhat fortuitously, as James Milner accidentally plays him in while trying to get to the ball ahead of Gonçalves. Ramos is in behind the right side of Liverpool’s attack, and in the area. He finishes confidently, and it’s 1-1 on the night. There’s a VAR check for offside, but the goal stands!
32′ – Goal for Benfica. Goncalo Ramos.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 13, 2022
31st min: The Liverpool pressure continues to mount, with a series of corners. Firmino looks certain to score at one point, heading from close range, but he heads it into the back of Vertonghen, who’s in place to unknowingly prevent a goal.
27th min: Diaz makes himself some room on the right, with a drop of the shoulder in the penalty area, and he unleashes a stinging drive that Vlachodimos parries.
Konate’s goal for UK
Another STUNNING header from Ibrahima Konaté! ⚡️⚡️
He did it last week and does it again this evening 💪
Liverpool in full control of this tie!#UCL pic.twitter.com/w3VDhtT7nw
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 13, 2022
Konate’s goal for AUS:
Konate rises highest and Liverpool have a three-goal buffer on aggregate 👌#StanSportAU | #UCL | #LIVSLB pic.twitter.com/ch5GJ7qcIz
— Stan Sport Football (@StanSportFC) April 13, 2022
25th min: Darwin Nunez has the ball in the back of the net, running into space behind Liverpool’s defence before chipping Alisson in no man’s land. It’s a composed finish, but it won’t count. The assistant’s flag is up, and VAR shows the decision to be correct.
Konate’s goal for Canada:
Déjà vu… just like in the first leg, Ibrahima Konate opens the scoring vs. Benfica with a header 😯 pic.twitter.com/GAWHan6vO0
— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) April 13, 2022
Konate’s goal for USA:
Ibrahima Konaté ONLY scores against Benfica. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/z48NhsFAGh
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 13, 2022
21st min: GOAL!
Konate opens the scoring again! Liverpool have been going through the gears in the last couple of minutes, and they’re rewarded with a corner from the left. Konate rises above a group of Benfica defenders, and heads in at the far post with ease. They’re in the driving seat now.
19th min: Liverpool win a free kick on the left. It comes to nothing, but it looks like Liverpool are targetting that side. Gilberto has certainly had a lot to deal with so far, while Luis Diaz hasn’t seen much of the ball on the right.
16th min: Jota wants a penalty, but he’s never getting that. Gilberto and Otamendi go up for a long ball, the centre back for some reason rushing out of the defensive line, and neither of them winning it. It falls to Jota who plays a 1-2 with Firmino, but Vlachodimos is out to the pass first. Jota goes down, but the referee isn’t giving. The ‘keeper is still down, having taken a whack from Jota in the process.
13th min: Darwin uses his pace to get round Matip, but can’t pick someone out from the byline. Milner wastes a Liverpool free kick and Benfica counter. It ends up with Everton in the right half space, just outside the area. He has time to line up his shot and he hits it towards the far post. It curls just wide, but it’s a warning for Liverpool.
9th min: Liverpool have had a couple of good moments, mainly coming from Jota making a nuisance of himself in Benfica’s third, and the away side failing to get the ball clear when he does so. Liverpool haven’t made them pay just yet, but any sloppiness at the back will surely be punished.
7th min: Benfica’s full back have been pushing up the pitch at every opportunity. With Gomez and Tsimikas deputising for Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, the visitors may look to target the wide areas.
4th min: It’s been a good start so far, Benfica playing with purpose but Liverpool not overly troubled.
1st min: Here we go!
1′ – We’re underway at Anfield! 🔴
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 13, 2022
1 min from kickoff: The teams are lining up for the kickoff at a noisy Anfield.
30 mins from kickoff: The away fans are clearly looking to enjoy themselves tonight, win or lose. Anfield is still filling up in the early evening sun.
🔊🤩 Warming up!#WeAreBenfica #LIVSLB #UCL pic.twitter.com/kUPFirBAI3
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) April 13, 2022
40 mins from kickoff: Starting Milner rather than one of Liverpool’s young midfield starlets may raise a few eyebrows, but Klopp will be counting on the veteran’s experience to see this game out without any major surprises.
James Milner (36y 99d) is the oldest Englishman to start a #UCL knockout tie since David Beckham for PSG in April 2013 (37y 335d) pic.twitter.com/rfizjQyCbb
— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) April 13, 2022
45 mins from kickoff: The visitors have arrived at Anfield, and the clock is counting down till kickoff.
📌 Anfield#WeAreBenfica #LIVSLB #UCL pic.twitter.com/q1fpBUwWIL
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) April 13, 2022
60 mins from kickoff: The Benfica team is as strong as expected, with the visitors having nothing to lose in the tie.
🚨 JÁ HÁ ONZE! 🚨#EPluribusUnum #LIVSLB #UCL pic.twitter.com/U3yfq7imEv
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) April 13, 2022
79 mins from kickoff: The team news is in for the hosts, with a few changes to the team.
⭐ 𝑻𝑬𝑨𝑴 𝑵𝑬𝑾𝑺 ⭐
The Reds to face @SLBenfica tonight! #UCL | #LIVSLB
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 13, 2022
80 mins from kickoff: If the visitors are to pull off an unlikely comeback tonight, this man will be key for them up front.
How good is Darwin Núñez❓#UCL pic.twitter.com/7XjgD3ixy9
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 13, 2022
180 mins from kickoff: We’re here with live updates of every single moment as the Reds look to advance to the semi-final.
Another big European night at Anfield awaits… ✊
𝐔𝐏 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐒 🔴 #WalkOn | #LIVSLB pic.twitter.com/2nFuGZExh2
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 13, 2022
Liverpool vs. Benfica lineups
Klopp doesn’t have too many injury problems, but he’s had to find a balance in his team selection. Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz both start, with Liverpool facing a busy month, while both full backs are rested, as is Van Dijk.
Liverpool lineup (4-3-3): Alisson (GK) — Gomez, Matip, Konate, Tsimikas — Henderson, Keita, Milner — Jota, Firmino, Diaz
Liverpool subs (12): Kelleher, Fabinho, Van Dijk, Thiago, Mane, Salah, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Roberson, Origi, Alexander-Arnold, Elliott
As he was in the first leg, Darwin Nunez is likely to be the key man for the visitors, with the forward netting an impressive hat-trick at the weekend. The big miss is Rafa Silva, with the creative attacker out with injury.
Benfica lineup (4-5-1): Vlachodimos (GK) — Gilberto, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo — Gonçalves, Weigl, Ramos, Taarabt, Everton — Nunez
Benfica subs (12): Helton, Valentino, Morato, Pedro Álvaro, André Almeida, Meïte, Paulo Bernardo, João Mário, Nemanja, Gil Dias, Seferovic, Yaremchuk
MORE: Liverpool and Manchester City schedule and remaining fixtures in Premier League title race
How to watch Liverpool vs. Benfica
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| Date | April 13 | April 13 | April 13 | April 14 |
| Time | 8 p.m. | 3 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. ET | 5 a.m. AET |
| TV channel | BT Sport 3 | – | – | – |
| Streaming | BT Sport | Paramount+ | DAZN | Stan Sport |
In the US, Spanish-language coverage of the Champions League is available on fuboTV, which also offers a free trial to new subscribers.
In Canada, every Champions League game streams live on DAZN.
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