Liverpool cruise to all three points as they see off Benfica 3:1 in Lisbon. Liverpool defeated their host in Lisbon as goals from ibrahima Konate, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz and a consolatory strike from Darwin Nunez saw the Reds run out 3:1 winners on the night.
Jurgen kloop’s men started brightly as Naby Keita bossed the Midfield as the Benfica players struggled to take the ball off him.
Liverpool dominated possession in the early exchanges as they looked to pen Benfica back to their half.
Mohamed Salah should have opened the scoring as he was caught in two minds wether to lob the
Liverpool would get the first goal through Ibrahima Konate who rose highest to nod home Andy Robertson’s corner,the ex RB Leipzig man getting his first champions league goal for the Reds.
Sadio Mane would then put his side two to the good, Alexander Arnold with a breathtaking pass from defense found Luis Diaz who had the presence of mind to nod the ball back to Sadio Mane who slammed the ball home past Odysseys Vlacodimos.
Luis Diaz was menacing on the night as he looked to dink the ball over the on rushing Vlacodimos but goalkeeper stood firm to block the shot
Benfica grew into the game and should have pulled a goal back through Darwin Nunez but he headed wide off the post.
Trent Alexander Arnold should have squared the ball to Sadio Mane but saw his weak shot comfortable saved by Benfica goalkeeper odysseys Vlacodimos.
Benfica would pull a goal back through their top scorer Darwin Nunez,Rafa Silva with a delightful cross into the liverpool Ibrahima Konate thought he had it covered but fumbled as the ball trickled past his legs and there was Nunez had the back post to stab it home.
After the goal Benfica fans found their voices as they roared their side on,the home side had couple of chances to draw level but couldn’t take their chances.
Luis Diaz who was named player of the match got Liverpool’s third goal of the game the ex Porto man coming back to hunt his previous rivals as he blasted the ball past Odessys Vlacodimos
Jurgen kloop spoke after the match saying;
“It’s about coming here and winning the away game. Benfica fought for their lives – we opened the door a bit too much but they deserved their goal, even if we could have defended it better.They passed the ball through us a few times, so it was a tough game and this is what I expected. The crowd was there. 2-0 is nice but it is not more than that.”
“Luis’s goal was really important for us it was massive to give us that cushion. Hopefully we can get the job done next week.”lI had a few lighters thrown at me at the end of the game, hopefully it helps them stop smoking!.It was a tough game – we were on top but we wanted to keep it tight. The goal lifted them – we started to get sloppy so the third goal was big.”
A comfortable win for the reds to take back to Anfield as they seek to navigate past a spirited Benfica who showed zeal and zest on the night.
