Benfica – Liverpool: Raising a dream to eat 4

Lisbon is an unforgettable place with Coach Jurgen Klopp, though unrelated to the match. In 2015, while on vacation there, he received a phone call from his agent, about a potential job in Liverpool. And the rest is history, Klopp not only helped Liverpool win the 2019 Champions League, but also won the Premier League 2020 after 30 years of waiting. “That call changed my life,” Klopp said in a press conference on April 4.

Returning to Lisbon after 7 years, Klopp is expected to bring an advantage to Liverpool before the second leg. The away team is much appreciated, in terms of squad depth and outstanding individuals. Not to mention Liverpool are also in high form with 8 consecutive away wins in all competitions. But there is one factor for Liverpool to worry about, which is the great battle with Man City in the Premier League this weekend.

British newspaper Times that Klopp will put Mohamed Salah on the bench at Da Luz Stadium, so that the Egyptian striker will be fit for the match against Man City. Salah has not scored from a live ball in over a month, and Liverpool also have an attacking player of the same quality as Diogo Jota or rookie Luis Diaz to replace.

Benfica despite being the only Portuguese representative left in Champions League, is only third in the league after Porto and Sporting Lisbon. They also just lost a 9-match unbeaten streak, with a 2-3 loss to Braga at the weekend. But the army of acting coach Nelson Verissimo is confident after having won many more appreciated opponents this season, such as Barca in the group stage or Ajax in the 1/8 round.

Portuguese newspaper Record put high expectations on striker Darwin Nunez, putting him on the front page. The 23-year-old striker has scored 27 goals in 34 games in all competitions this season. Nunez is being sought by many English clubs, such as Man Utd, Arsenal or Newcastle.

The last time they met in the knockout round of the Champions League, Benfica won both finals 3-0 and eliminated champions Liverpool in the round of 16 in 2006. One of the three Benfica players to score that year was the former national team. Portuguese player Simao Sabrosa. On the eve of the reunion in the quarterfinals this year, Simao told Guardian: “I know Liverpool have great players but so does Benfica. Anything is possible, like when we beat Barca and Ajax. Benfica’s feat in 2006 can be repeated.”

But Liverpool are still on a different level than Barca late last year, or even Ajax. Not to mention Klopp will have in hand the strongest squad. He will also be able to take the lead in the first leg, leading by a large margin to be able to play freely in the second leg. This can be similar to the round of 16, when Liverpool won 2-0 at Inter, lost 0-1 in the second leg and still progressed.

Even victory for Benfica in the first leg does not guarantee them many chances of reaching the semi-finals. Because the pressure of Liverpool when playing at Anfield is always scary for any team. This season also does not apply the away goals rule, helping the home teams in the second leg to attack more strongly.

“We want to make 2021-2022 an unforgettable season for Liverpool fans,” midfielder Virgil van Dijk said before the match. Liverpool still have a good chance of winning four trophies this season and the team that can stop them from doing so is probably not Benfica.

Hoang An