Liverpool blaze into the last eight of the UEFA Champions League in fine form, with 16 wins in their last 17 matches, including eight victories out of eight away from home.
It might sound a bit ominous for Benfica who lost their last match in the Primeira Liga, 3-2 to Braga. But they know what it takes to pull off a shock when it comes to European competition, having dismissed Ajax in the Round of 16.
It should be a thrilling encounter as the Reds continue their quest for a historic quadruple.
Sporting News is following the match live and providing live score updates, commentary.
MORE: Liverpool’s quadruple chase in 2021-22
Benfica vs. Liverpool live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Benfica | — | — | — |
| Liverpool | — | — | — |
Goals:
Liverpool – Konate (Robertson) – 17 mins
Benfica vs. Liverpool live updates, highlights
23 mins: Benfica are finding Liverpool quite difficult to deal with at the moment, and mustering only the occasional break. Everton needs to do better with his finishing than this, though, shanked into the side-netting.
17 mins: GOAL! Konate is absolutely unmarked from a Robertson corner, rises at the far post and heads beautifully down into the corner. Good way to get your first goal for a club.
9 mins: Smart backheel from Sadio Mane puts Salah through, and his toe-poked effort is saved by the goalkeeper.
6 mins: Trent Alexander-Arnold doesn’t know that Everton is bearing down on him in the box, but fortunately for him, his clearance cannons off the Benfica man for a goal kick.
2 mins: Luis Diaz is upended on the left flank by Gilberto but gets up and brushes himself off. He’s a former Porto player so not exactly a fan favourite here – he’s getting some dedicated whistles all to himself.
1 min: Liverpool kick us off amidst a huge amount of whistling from the home fans.
5 mins to K/O: The teams are lined up in the tunnel, and there are red and white flags waving all around the stadium – so everyone will feel at home.
60 mins to K/O: Team news is in for Liverpool, with Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed back in the starting lineup.
? ???? ???? ?
How we line up to face @SLBenfica tonight! ?#SLBLIV | #UCL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 5, 2022
For Benfica, Adel Taarabt returns after a muscle problem.
? TEAM NEWS! ?#WeAreBenfica #SLBLIV #UCL pic.twitter.com/IgulTOZlS2
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) April 5, 2022
90 mins to K/O: The omens are positive for Liverpool though Benfica should prove more of a test than many expect.
Liverpool beat Benfica in the quarters in 77/78 and won the European Cup.
Liverpool beat Benfica in the quarters in 83/84 and won the European Cup.
Liverpool beat a Portuguese team in the quarters in 18/19 & won the UCL.
Liverpool play Benfica in the quarters in 21/22… ? pic.twitter.com/A1UpEcosDW
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) April 5, 2022
Benfica vs. Liverpool lineups
Moroccan international Adel Taarabt is back after missing the last two games with a muscle problem, but veteran forward Haris Seferovic is on the bench.
Benfica projected starting lineup (4-4-1-1, left to right): Odysseas (GK) — Grimaldo, Vertonghen, Otamendi, Gilberto — Everton, Weigl, Taarabt, Rafa — Ramos — Nunez.
Benfica subs (12): Helton Leite, Valentino, Morato, André Almeida, Meïte, João Mário, Paulo Bernardo, Diogo Gonçalves, Gil Dias, Nemanja, Seferovic, Yaremchuk.
Klopp will be without midfielder Curtis Jones after he was forced off against Watford with an ankle injury and centre back Joel Matip also misses out.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is also recalled to the visitors’ back line, and Fabinho and Sadio Mane also return.
Liverpool starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): Alisson (GK) — Robertson, van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold — Thiago, Fabinho, Henderson — Mane, Jota, Salah
Liverpool subs (12): Kelleher, Milner, Firmino, Gomez, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Minamino, Jota, Tsimikas, Matip, Elliott.
MORE: Liverpool’s Diaz and Jota aim to show there’s life after Salah
How to watch Benfica vs. Liverpool
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| Date | April 5 | April 5 | April 5 | April 6 |
| Time | 20:00 | 15:00 ET | 15:00 ET | 05:00 AET |
| TV channel | BT Sport 3 | Galavision | — | — |
| Streaming | NOW TV/BT Sport | fuboTV, Paramount+ | DAZN | Stan Sport |
UK: The match will be on BT Sport 3 in the UK, and the match can be streamed via the BT Sport app or on NOW TV.
USA: In the US, Spanish-language coverage of the Champions League is available on fuboTV, which also offers a free trial to new subscribers. The English-language stream is available to Paramount+ subscribers.
Canada: In Canada, every Champions League game streams live on DAZN.
Australia: Stan Sport has exclusive rights to stream the UEFA Champions League in Australia.
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