Liverpool have one foot in the Champions League semi-finals after beating Benfica 3-1 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie in Portugal.
The Reds were outstanding in the first half but struggled in the second. However, their overall performance was rewarded thanks to goals from Ibrahima Konate, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz.
The visitors created a couple of early chances and it took them just 17 minutes to make the breakthrough.
Luis Diaz, a former Porto winger, won a corner which Andy Robertson swung to the far post where Konate easily outjumped Benfica winger Everton to beat the goalkeeper with a downward header.
It was the centre-back’s first goal for the club since joining from RB Leipzig in the summer.
Liverpool continued to pass up good opportunities but when the second goal came it was brilliantly executed.
Alexander-Arnold’s superb ball over the top picked out Diaz who headed down for Mane to tap home.
Konate error gives Benfica hope
Liverpool were made to pay for their wasted chances just four minutes into the second half when an error by Konate gifted a goal to Darwin Nunez.
The centre-back got his feet in a complete tangle trying to deal with Rafa Silva’s low cross and the Benfica striker took a touch before firing home from close range.
But just when it looked like frustration would get the better Liverpool, Keita’s perfect through-ball allowed Luis Diaz to round the goalkeeper and slot home an angled shot.
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