Liverpool defeats Benfica to win the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final

Liverpool continued their good form in the Champions League match. Ibrahima Konate in the 17th minute, Sadio Mane in the 34th minute and Luis Diaz in the 87th minute were the goal scorers for Liverpool. Darwin Núñez, in the 49th minute, was the sole goal scorer for Benfica.

Liverpool was in total control of the game till halftime with a 2-0 lead, owing to Ibrahima Konate and Sadio Mane's early goals. Benfica pulled back in the second half. Darwin Núñez took advantage of a mistake by Ibrahima Konate to narrow the lead. Ibrahima Konate failed to clear a cross from Rafa Silva on the right. The ball went through his leg and reached Núñez, who delivered the ball into the goal with a composed side-footed shot.

Núñez's goal gave some hope to Benefica, but it was short-lived. With just three minutes remaining on the clock, Diaz intercepted and latched on Nabi Keita's deflected pass and took his shot into the unguarded goal from a tight angle.

Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson commented, “ He got a nice reception, didn’t he?”

He added, "It was a good finish for him and a really important goal for us. It gives us a two-goal cushion, which makes a difference.”

Luis Diaz played a crucial part in Liverpool's second goal too. He intercepted a long pass by Trent Alexander-Arnold, which allowed Sabio Mane to score. Overall, Liverpool kept the pressure high and was sharper with their passing. They even kept the defense tight most of the time except for a few scary episodes.

Overall, Liverpool kept the pressure high and was sharper with their passing. They even kept the defense tight most of the time except for a few scary episodes. Motivated by the crowd at their home stadium, Benfica tried to tie the score, but Liverpool's better skill and quality gave them an advantage.