Team manager Jürgen Klopp has reached the semi-finals of the Champions League with Liverpool for the first time since the triumph in 2019.
The Reds were enough against the Portuguese record champions Benfica Lisbon in the second leg of the quarterfinals 3: 3 (1: 1), now Bayern conqueror FC Villarreal is waiting. Liverpool won the first comparison in Portugal 3-1.
Ibrahima Konate (21′) and Roberto Firmino (55′, 65′) scored the hosts’ goals at Anfield. Goncalo Ramos (32′), Roman Yaremchuk (73′) and Darwin Nunez (82′) scored for Lisbon.
Klopp reacted to the insane hunt through the competitions and initially did without the regulars Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Virgil van Dijk and Thiago – the FA Cup semi-finals at London’s Wembley Stadium against Manchester City are scheduled for Saturday.
Firmino scores twice, Benfica doesn’t give up
Three days after the rousing top game in the league at City (2: 2), the favorite initially had a hard time. The first warning shot was given by the guests, with national player Julian Weigl in the starting XI, through Everton (13th).
After that, the hosts got into the game better and increased the pressure. Konaté headed in from a corner. The ex-Leipziger had already been successful in the first leg. Lisbon was by no means hiding and equalized before the break through Ramos.
In the second half, Liverpool controlled the match with a lot of ball possession. Lisbon was mostly low and lurking for moments of change. But there were hardly any.
Former Hoffenheim Firmino made everything clear with his double pack towards the semifinals, but Benfica didn’t give up and fought back again.