2021-22 UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals: Second Leg – Liverpool v Benfica

Liverpool welcome Benfica to Anfield in the second leg of their Quarter-Final tie in 2021-22 UEFA Champions League. 

With a 3-1 aggregate lead from the first leg, Liverpool know that victory or draw would be enough to see them advance, whilst a 1-0 loss would also be enough to see them through.

Benfica meanwhile must score at least three goals to stand any chance of overturning their deficit, although a 2-0 win would take the tie to extra time and potentially penalties.

 

Team News

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Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns to report following Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Manchester City in the Premier League.

Benfica have no fresh injury concerns to report as Rodrigo Pinho and Lucas Verissimo remain absent with muscle injuries.

 

Stat Attack

• Liverpool have won just one of three previous Champions League meetings against Benfica (W1, L2), with their only win coming 3-1 in last week’s first leg away in Portugal.
• Benfica have won just one of their last five visits to Anfield in all competitions (W1, L4).
• Liverpool have won two of five previous home games against Benfica by 4-1 results in March 1978 and April 2010 respectively.
• Out of all eight remaining clubs in this season’s competition, no team has scored more left-footed goals than Liverpool (12).
• Benfica have kept five clean sheets in six away Champions League matches this season, with exception of a 5-2 defeat at Bayern Munich in November 2021.

 

Prediction

After delivering a superb defensive performance complete with a clinical attacking display to twice fight back in Sunday’s draw at Man City, Liverpool certainly should come into this game full of confidence because they have this tie in their own hands.

Jurgen Klopp though surely will have one eye on Saturday’s crunch FA Cup semi-final against City which I think will influence his team selection to some extent, although I do expect his Reds to deliver another strong display regardless.

Benfica meanwhile simply have to just go aggressive and try and get the first goal if they want to keep their title hopes alive, otherwise I can’t see them winning this if Liverpool get the opening goal and proceed to control this match.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Benfica

Result: Liverpool 3-3 Benfica (Liverpool win 6-4 on aggregate!!)