Liverpool vs Benfica LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight as Red into semi-finals

Liverpool progressed to the semi-finals of the Champions League after a goal fest in their quarter-final second leg against Benfica at Anfield.

Ibrahima Konate scored his second goal of the tie to put Liverpool three goals up on aggregate just after the 20 minute mark before Goncalo Ramos fired in an equaliser to send the teams into half-time at 1-1 (4-2agg).

Liverpool stepped it up after the restart and seemingly finished off the game hust after the hour mark following a brace from Roberto Firmino to put them four goals clear on aggregate. That comfort began to show as they slackened off defensively allowing Benfica to take advantage of their high line with runs in behind.

Substitute Roman Yaremchuk snuck in through the middle as Joel Matip was too slow to get out and his calm finish kept Benfica hopes alive. They still needed three goals to regain parity and a remarkable comeback was seemingly on when Darwin Nunez netted with 10 minutes or so to play.

Liverpool managed the tense final minutes well and kept Benfica at bay. Both teams had goals disallowed in the closing stages but ultimately the task was too great for the visitors as Liverpool closed out the game.

Relive all the action from Anfield as Liverpool beat Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals:

Liverpool vs Benfica

• GOAL! 82’ - Nunez adds a third for Benfica to set up tense finish

• GOAL! 73’ - Yaremchuk keeps Benfica’s hope alive

• GOAL! 65’ - A brace for Firmino puts Liverpool within touching distance of semis

• GOAL! 55’ - Firmino restores Liverpool’s lead

• GOAL! 32’ - Ramos equalises for Benfica

• GOAL! 21’ - Konate header opens scoring for Liverpool

Liverpool FC 3 - 3 SL Benfica

Full-time: Liverpool 3 - 3 Benfica (6-4 agg)

21:55 , Michael Jones

90+5 mins: Nunez scores again but this one is offside! That’s the last act of the game as the final whistle goes and Liverpool are through to the semi-finals!

Liverpool 3 - 3 Benfica (6-4 agg)

21:52 , Michael Jones

90+3 mins: Close! Tsimikas flicks a cross into the box and gets the ball to Mo Salah. He shifts it onto his left foot and curls a trademark shot towards the far top corner but sends his effort narrowly over the bar.

Liverpool 3 - 3 Benfica (6-4 agg)

21:50 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Five minutes of added time to play.

Liverpool 3 - 3 Benfica (6-4 agg)

21:50 , Michael Jones

89 mins: It’s been good play from Liverpool since Nunez’s equaliser. They’ve taken control of the ball and kept it away from Benfica.

Mo Salah dribbles into the area and shimmies around two defenders. His shot is heading wide but Sadio Mane is there to tap it home!

This one is definitely offside though.

Liverpool 3 - 3 Benfica (6-4 agg)

21:47 , Michael Jones

86 mins: Nunez’s goal was ruled offside on the pitch but overturned on VAR as Joao Mario kept himself onside in the build-up. Liverpool need to see this game out now. They’ll be a little nervous, the momentum is all with Benfica.

GOAL! Liverpool 3 - 3 Benfica (6-4 agg) - Nunez, 82’ ⚽️

21:41 , Michael Jones

82 mins: They can’t, can they?! Benfica are level on the night but still trail by two! A simple long ball comes over the top to Benfica substitute Joao Mario. He looks offside initially as he brings the ball down and slides it over to Darwin Nunez. The forward plays on, takes the ball into the box and curls it into the far bottom corner!

Liverpool 3 - 2 Benfica (6-3 agg)

21:39 , Michael Jones

78 mins: Liverpool are still pretty comfortable in all honesty and are probing for more goals. They’ve outscored Benfica which is what this tie has come down to.

A corner ball comes out to Thiago who hits it on the volley but fires his effort wide of goal.

GOAL! Liverpool 3 - 2 Benfica (6-3 agg) - Yaremchuk, 73’ ⚽️

21:33 , Michael Jones

73 mins: Roman Yaremchuk gets played in behind and pulls one back for Benfica. He was initially ruled offside but VAR overturned the decision. Is there a slight chance yet for Benfica? Surely not.

Liverpool 3 - 1 Benfica (6-2 agg)

21:31 , Michael Jones

68 mins: Liverpool lead by four goals on aggregate so Jurgen Klopp decides to take off Luis Diaz and bring on Sadio Mane. There’s no coming back from this for Benfica now.

GOAL! Liverpool 3 - 1 Benfica (6-2 agg) - Firmino, 65’ ⚽️

21:24 , Michael Jones

65 mins: It’s all over now! Liverpool win a free kick on the inside left channel deep in Benfica’s half. Kostas Tsimikas whips it across the box and perfectly picks out Roberto Firmino. Benfica’s marking is non-existent and Firmino meets the ball on the volley guiding it calmly past Vlachodimos to put the Reds out of sight.

Liverpool 2 - 1 Benfica (5-2 agg)

21:21 , Michael Jones

60 mins: Liverpool have a foot, an arm and a leg in the semi-finals now. They’ve restored their three goal cushion and Jurgen Klopp decides to turn to the bench. Diogo Jota, Jordan Henderson and James Milner are all off with Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Mo Salah brought on.

GOAL! Liverpool 2 - 1 Benfica (5-2 agg) - Firmino, 55'⚽️

21:14 , Michael Jones

55 mins: That should be that. Firmino restores Liverpool’s lead! Luis Diaz makes a run through the middle and is fed the ball. He can’t bring it under control and gets closed down by the goalkeeper who spills the ball. Jan Vertonghen tries to clear it but scuffs the ball over to Diogo Jota. Jota snatches at a shot and catches it all wrong but somehow gifts the ball over to Roberto Firmino on the opposite side of the box who is left with a tap in.

Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg)

21:11 , Michael Jones

51 mins: Henderson’s pass into the box takes a deflection and drops nicely for Diaz. He chips it over to Firmino who stuggles to bring it down as he darts in behind. The ball eventually falls kindly for him to get off a shot on the turn but he volleys it straight at Diaz who can’t get out of the way.

Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg)

21:08 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Jordan Henderson’s loose pass gives the ball away to Julian Weigl who threads a long through ball up to pitch for Roman Yaremchuk to chase but he’s blocked off by Joel Matip and Alisson tidies up for the Reds.

Second half: Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg)

21:05 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Roman Yaremchuk has replaced Diogo Goncalves for Benfica at the break but it’s as you were for Liverpool who get the macth back underway.

Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg)

21:00 , Michael Jones

Ibrahima Konate is the fourth Liverpool player to score in both legs of a Champions League quarter-final tie, after Peter Crouch (06-07 vs PSV), Mo Salah (17-18 vs Man City) and Roberto Firmino (18-19 vs Porto).

Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg)

20:56 , Michael Jones

Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg)

20:53 , Michael Jones

Ibrahima Konate seemingly sent Liverpool into the semi-finals of the Champions League when he opened the scoring at Anfield with another fine headed effort but there is life in Benfica yet. Goncalo Ramos equalised 11 minutes later for the visitors but Benfica still have a mountain to climb. They need to score two more goals without reply to force the match to extra-time. The tie is firmly in Liverpool’s hands.

Half-time: Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg)

20:49 , Michael Jones

45+3 mins: Jordan Henderson’s early pass sends the ball into the right side of the box for Joe Gomez. He meets it on the half-volley and hits his shot right into the hands of Odisseas Vlachodimos.

The whistle goes for half-time. Liverpool’s two-goal cushion remains in tact but Benfica have found a way to score and the Reds haven’t closed out this tie just yet.

Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg)

20:46 , Michael Jones

45 mins: Chance! Grimaldo clears a cross into the Benfica box but sends the ball straight to Naby Keita. Keita stops it dead and blasts a shot at goal from just outside the box. He catches it well but fires the effort just wide of the right hand post.

Three minutes of added time to play.

Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg)

20:45 , Michael Jones

42 mins: Ramos’ goal and some resolute defending will give Benfica confidence. They’re passing it around nicely, trying to find ways through the Liverpool press.

A diagonal ball comes over to Grimaldo on the left wing but his ball into the box is intercepted by Matip before it reaches Nunez.

Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg)

20:43 , Michael Jones

38 mins: Chance! Liverpool should have a second! Roberto Firmino is played through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat. He draws Vlachodimos off his line before deciding to slide the ball across to Luis Diaz. The pass is slightly underhit and a stunning slide tackle from Grimaldo denies Diaz a tap-in.

Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg)

20:40 , Michael Jones

35 mins: There was a lenghty VAR check to see if Ramos’ goal should stand - due to him potentially being offside - but the ball came off Milner before it reached him and Benfica are back to trailing by two.

GOAL! Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg) - Ramos, 32’ ⚽️

20:34 , Michael Jones

32 mins: Benfica are level! The visitors work the ball down the inside left channel and pick out Diogo Goncalves. He gets some help through Darwin Nunez and gives the ball to the forward before running inside and waiting for the return pass. When it comes James Milner arrives from behind to tackle Goncalves but the ball comes loose and rolls into Goncalo Ramos who drills one from the edge of the box and smokes his chance past Alisson to bring Benfica back on level terms.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Benfica (4-1 agg)

20:32 , Michael Jones

30 mins: Chance! Tsimikas whips the corner ball into the box but it’s won by a Benfica defender. The ball is cleared well and Luis Diaz recycles it with a header of his own into the six-yard box. Roberto Firmino meets it and nods it towards goal but his effort hit Jan Vertonghen on the back and loops over the crossbar!

Liverpool 1 - 0 Benfica (4-1 agg)

20:30 , Michael Jones

27 mins: Jan Vertonghen gets on the wrong side of Naby Keita and has to drag down the Liverpool midfielder to stop him from getting in behind.

Liverpool boot the ball over to the left side and win another corner.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Benfica (4-1 agg)

20:28 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Save! This could be a long night for the visitors as Liverpool look to turn the screw. Luis Diaz is played into space on the right and darts into the box. He shoots and goes for the gap at the near post but Vlachodimos dives across and palms it wide of goal.

GOAL! Liverpool 1 - 0 Benfica (4-1 agg) - Konate, 21’ ⚽️

20:22 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Liverpool take the lead! The Reds win a corner that Kostas Tsimikas delivers into the box. He puts an outswinger into the middle where Ibrahima Konate leaps above everyone else to meet the cross. He gets a solid head to it and guides the ball into the bottom irght hand corner putting it out of reach for the Benfica goalkeeper. Liverpool have some daylight between them and Benfica now.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)

20:22 , Michael Jones

20 mins: Chance! Liverpool work it sweetly down the right wing with short, sharp passes around the Benfica midfielders. Luis Diaz flies into the right side of the box and squares the ball into the six-yard box. James Milner arrives to turn the ball towards goal but Odisseas Vlachodimos dives in front of him to turn the ball away.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)

20:19 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Liverpool are starting to go uo the gears. Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez are getting higher up the pitch and they’re putting more pressure on the Benfica defence.

Tsimikas wins a free kick on the left wing and his delivery is easily cleared by the visitors.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)

20:16 , Michael Jones

15 mins: James Milner hits the wall with his free kick and Benfica clear it quickly to get forward on the counter-attack. Adel Taarabt starts the move which sees the ball come up to Diogo Goncalves. He switches the play over to Everton with a chipped pass across the pitch. Everton controls it before firing a shot just wide of the far post!

Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)

20:13 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Darwin Nunez is quicker than Joel Matip. He injects a bit of pace into his run to side-step the Liverpool centre-back but can’t ixk out a teammate with his cutback from the byline.

Liverpool recover the ball and break down the right side. Luis Diaz collects it and tries to dart inside only to get fouled just inside Benfica’s final third.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)

20:10 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Diogo Jota makes a run down the left side and carries the ball to the byline. He does brilliantly to shift inside of two defenders but slips as he brings the ball into the box and Nicolas Otamendi scoops the ball away for Benfica.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)

20:08 , Michael Jones

6 mins: It’s been a decent for Benfica. They’ve had a fair amount of possession and are committing men up the pitch trying to use the wide areas to get around Liverpool’s back four.

Liverpool are being patient, trying to keep control of possession and pick their moments.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)

20:05 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Diogo Goncalves makes an early run down the left wing and races Joe Gomez to a dropping ball that comes over thr top of the Liverpool defence. Gomez gets there just ahead of the striker before the offside flag goes up.

Benfica seem to have targeted Liverpool’s left side. Darwin Nunez sweeps forward and flicks a cross into the middle. Everton is hovering around the centre spot but Kostas Tsimikas squeezes in front of him and clears the danger for Liverpool.

Kick off: Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)

20:01 , Michael Jones

There’s a minute’s silence before kick off as Anfield pays tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster. Both teams then take the knee to maintain their stance for racial equality and Benfica kick off the match.

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:56 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams. As usual the atmosphere is brilliant inside Anfield. The stadium really does come alive for European nights. Jordan Henderson leads out the Reds and the Champions League theme rings out around the ground.

Kick off is next...

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:52 , Michael Jones

Can Liverpool keep a clean sheet tonight and make it into the Champions League semi-finals? Kick off at Anfield is less than 10 minutes away.

When are the Champions League semi-finals?

19:48 , Michael Jones

The Champions League semi-finals are nearly upon us with a thrilling round of quarter-final clashes set to leave just four teams in the hat for Europe’s most coveted trophy.

There is still very much English interest in the competition with Manchester City and Liverpool on track to keeping alive the possibility of an all-Premier League affair in Paris next month.

But there are still huge hurdles in the way of them reaching the final, with the likes of 13-time winners Real Madrid and fellow Spanish side Villarreal potentially lurking.

Liverpool are searching for a seventh European Cup, while Manchester City are still hunting for their first.

Here is all you need to know about the Champions League semi-finals:

When are the Champions League semi-finals?

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:46 , Michael Jones

13 of Mane’s last 19 goals in the Champions League have been scored during the knockout phase.

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:42 , Michael Jones

Liverpool are looking to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the third time under Jurgen Klopp. If they defeated Benfica tonight, they’ll face Villarreal in the next round.

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:39 , Michael Jones

Benfica have only won one of their last nine away games in the Champions League - three draws, five defeats - although that victory did come in the last round as they eliminated Ajax (1-0 last month).

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:36 , Michael Jones

Mo Salah has scored 12 times in his last 14 Champions League appearances, including eight strikes so far in this campaign.

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:33 , Michael Jones

Alisson Becker and Mo Salah have started all nine Champions League matches this season for Liverpool while Fabinho and Sadio Mane have also appeared in every game.

Of those four players, Alisson is the only one to start against Benfica tonight.

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:30 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp’s men have lost only three of their last 59 fixtures in all competitions. The Reds’ home record versus Portuguese opposition is nine wins, three draws and one defeat.

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:27 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have progressed from each of their last 12 ties in the Champions League knockout stages after winning the first leg, with their last - and only - elimination in this scenario coming in the 2001-02 quarter-finals against Bayer Leverkusen (1-0 in first leg, 4-2 defeat in the second leg).

Only two teams have won by more than one goal away to Liverpool in the knockout stages of the Champions League, however one of those instances was Benfica (2-0 in 2005-06 in the last 16) - the other being Chelsea’s 3-1 win there in the 2008-09 quarter-finals.

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:23 , Michael Jones

This game is the 12th meeting between the teams, meaning Benfica will become the club the Reds have faced more times than any other in European competition. They have met Chelsea on 11 occasions.

Liverpool have won seven of the encounters to date and Benfica four - there have been no draws.

In their previous 199 European fixtures at Anfield, Liverpool have only lost by two goals or more on seven occasions, the last to Atalanta (0-2) behind closed doors last season.

Andy Robertson dismisses talk of unprecedented quadruple for Liverpool

19:19 , Michael Jones

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson insists an unprecedented quadruple is not a topic of discussion within the dressing room.

Having already won the Carabao Cup in February, Jurgen Klopp’s side remain the only team capable of winning all four trophies this season although the 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium has left the advantage with Manchester City in terms of the Premier League race.

Liverpool, however, have one foot in the semi-finals of the Champions League as they hold a 3-1 lead over Benfica heading into Wednesday’s second leg while they will face City again at Wembley in the last four of the FA Cup this weekend.

But Robertson stressed the players are focused only on the next game, which happens to be a European one.

“Look, we literally just talk about the next game. As it comes,” he said.

Andy Robertson dismisses talk of unprecedented quadruple for Liverpool

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:15 , Michael Jones

Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson, gave his view on tonight’s fixture and how it will play into Liverpool’s aims to win as many trophies as possible this season.

Speaking to the club’s official website he said:“We are still fighting on all fronts, we still have a lot of games to play, and if we win hopefully it ends with silverware. We can only focus on ourselves.

“We have a lead but we need to get through. We need to try to win that and then get into the semi-finals. If we do that, then we focus on the next one.”

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:11 , Michael Jones

Jürgen Klopp’s side hold a 3-1 lead from last week’s quarter-final first leg in Lisbon, where Ibrahima Konate, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz all got on the scoresheet.

If Liverpool clinch an aggregate victory in the tie at Anfield tonight, the Reds will equal the record for an English club of 12 European Cup semi-final appearances.

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:36 , Michael Jones

13 of Sadio Mane’s last 19 goals in the Champions League have been scored during the knockout phase.

Alisson Becker ready to reprise last season’s scoring feat if Liverpool need him

19:07 , Michael Jones

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is ready to throw himself into attack again if necessity dictates Liverpool need a goal to keep their trophy quest on track.

The Brazil international famously scored an added-time winner with a header from a corner at West Brom late last season which helped the Reds’ bid to secure Champions League qualification.

Such has been Liverpool’s form he has not been required to produce similar heroics since, but with the team still chasing an unprecedented quadruple there may be a time when he is called upon again.

“I think if it is needed it is clear I am going,” said Alisson. “If they call me, I go. If not, no problem. We have enough players to score.

“I hope it will not be necessary but if it is needed, if it is the last time (to score), we will try everything we have to win the games.”

Alisson Becker ready to reprise last season’s scoring feat if Liverpool need him

Liverpool vs Benfica

19:03 , Michael Jones

Benfica midfielder, Everton, says he has been studying Liverpool ahead of tonight’s quarter-final second leg and is looking forward to playing at Anfield.

“I’ve been studying Liverpool. It is necessary to analyse and examine the qualities of [Trent] Alexander-Arnold, of [Ibrahima] Konaté. “ he said, “I have been trying to see where they have difficulties, weaknesses that I can exploit. I hope to enjoy a happy night.

"It’ll be a huge source of pride [to play at Anfield]. Liverpool are a team with European history, and at Benfica we are always aiming for games like these. It’s a game that everyone wants to play. It’s about getting there, enjoying the game and doing our best to come out with a positive result."

Liverpool vs Benfica

18:59 , Michael Jones

Liverpool goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, says that the team are aiming win every competition they are still involved in as Jurgen Klopp’s men continue to hunt down an unprecedented quadruple this season.

“We are a big club and a big club wants to do great things, wants to achieve great goals,” Alisson said. “The targets are high and our main focus is to win any title that is in front of us, every challenge that is in front of us, so that is something which is already in our minds.”

Liverpool vs Benfica

18:55 , Michael Jones

Joël Matip will make his 50th appearance in the Champions League this evening. The centre-back played every minute of Liverpool’s first five group games but has been an unused substitute in three of the Reds’ last four matches in the competition.

Liverpool vs Benfica

18:51 , Michael Jones

Benfica boss, Nelson, Veríssimo on Darwin Núñez’s performances: "We are realising that he is undergoing a very big evolution.

“He has innate quality ... At the end of the season, if he has to go, you have to accept it, but it’s the law of the market. Obviously, with players like Darwin, and the best players, the idea would be to keep them all, but we are in a competitive market."

Liverpool vs Benfica: Team changes

18:47 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp swaps out seven players from the team that started the first leg against Benfica.

Ibrahima Konate is the only defender to keep his place in the back line as Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Kostas Tsimikas come in to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.

In midfield Naby Keita is joined by James Milner and Jordan Henderson and Luis Diaz is parterned up top with Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota.

Benfica only make one change as Diogo Goncalves replaces the injured Rafa Silva.

Liverpool vs Benfica: Line-ups

18:43 , Michael Jones

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Matip, Tsimikas, Milner, Keita, Henderson, Jota, Firmino, Diaz

Benfica XI: Vlachodimos, Gilberto, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo, Weigl, Taarabt, Diogo Goncalves, Everton, Nunez, Goncalo Ramos

Liverpool vs Benfica

18:42 , Michael Jones

Last time these two teams met Liverpool strolled to a 3-1 victory away from home and will be hoping to extend their advantage over Benfica with another clinical performance at Anfield. Here’s a look at how the game in Lisbon went down:

Jurgen Klopp renews attack on Premier League TV schedule ahead of title run-in

18:38 , Michael Jones

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has taken another shot at television broadcasters after stating no other league in the world would schedule matches like they do in England.

If they get through their Champions League quarter-final against Benfica, over whom they have a 3-1 lead, Klopp’s side face a last-four tie against either Bayern Munich or Villarreal.

However, what irks him more is following that potential semi-final Liverpool then have to travel to Newcastle for a Saturday lunchtime kick-off.

Jurgen Klopp renews attack on Premier League TV schedule ahead of title run-in

Liverpool vs Benfica

18:34 , Michael Jones

Veríssimo says his team need to stop conceding goals having last kept a clean sheet nearly a month ago. They have been working on defending in practice and will hope to keep Liverpool quiet tonight.

"We always have to be concerned when we concede goals.” said the Benfica boss. “We need to understand how these goals come about and work so that the mistake doesn’t happen again.

“That’s what we’ve been working on. We know that against the offensive quality of these [Liverpool] players, there are things we must avoid, in the sense of closing the lines and paying attention to their width and depth."

Liverpool vs Benfica

18:30 , Michael Jones

Liverpool boss, Jürgen Klopp, says that his team have only completed half the job and will find themselves under pressure if Benfica open the scoring tonight.

“It’s 3-1 at half-time, it’s as tricky as 2-0.” he said, “A good basis, but if they score one, like we felt against Inter, the game changes. We felt it when they scored last week. We really need to make them feel this is a place they don’t want to go.”

Liverpool vs Benfica

18:27 , Michael Jones

Nelson Verissimo, Benfica’s coach, spoke in the build-up to tonight’s second leg about how his team are going to take on Liverpool. He said:

"We have a two-goal deficit and we can’t openly play the game since we’ll create spaces for them to take advantage of. We have to have the ability and consistency to hold on.

“We believe they’ll want to sew it up within the first few minutes. It’s important to ride out the initial wave and our moment will come. Then we have to ensure balance and consistency. We go in with this ambition and the belief that it’s possible."

Liverpool vs Benfica

18:23 , Michael Jones

Both teams played a match in their respective domestic leagues in between these two Champions League legs. Liverpool journeyed to the Etihad and earned a point in a close-fought contest with Manchester City that eventually finished 2-2, leaving the Reds a point behind the Premier League leaders in the race for the title.

In the Primeira Liga, Benfica got back to winning ways with Darwin Nunez bagging a hat-trick during a 3-1 victory over Belenenses SAD. Can they bring that form to Anfield tonight?

Liverpool vs Benfica

18:05 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp says he will look to change up his starting XI for tonight’s Champions League quarter-final as he calls on fresher players to get Liverpool over the line this evening.

The Liverpool boss may also have one eye on resting some of his key players ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City in what will be another intense and difficult game.

"Nobody is injured but we need to look who is fresher for the game and stuff like this," said Klopp. "The next game has no influence on the line-up but the last game has."

Liverpool vs Benfica: Early team news

18:00 , Michael Jones

Ibrahima Konate, who scored against Benfica in Lisbon last week, is likely to replace Joel Matip or Virgil van Dijk at centre-back and midfielder Naby Keita could return to Liverpool’s midfield.

Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz look set to start up front with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane potentially rested ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City at the weekend.

Rafa Silva has been ruled out with injury in a blow to Benfica’s chances over overturning their two-goal deficit.

Liverpool vs Benfica

16:25 , Michael Jones

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Liverpool vs Benfica as the Reds seek to reach the Champions League semi-finals and set up a clash with Villarreal.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have a healthy two-goal cushion after winning the first leg 3-1 away from home - thanks to goals from Ibrahima Konate, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz - but they will be aware of the threat posed by Benfica’s Darwin Nunez. He scored a consolation goal for the Portuguese side in the previous leg and followed that up with a hat-trick against Belenenses SAD at the weekend.

Following Liverpool’s intense 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp may take the opportunity to rest some of his key men and give his fringe players some gametime in a highly competitive match. The Champions League allows for five substitutions during a game and Klopp can always call on the big guns if things look to be going Benfica’s way this evening.