Liverpool travel to the Estadio da Luz for the first leg of their quarter-final clash with Benfica on Tuesday looking to underscore their credentials as one of the Champions League favorites.
The Reds looked far from convincing in their 2-1 aggregate win against Inter Milan last time out and they will look to make a statement against Benfica, who sprung a huge surprise by downing Ajax in their last-16 tie.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have lost only once this year and come into this clash on the back of four successive wins. Benfica, on the other hand, are unbeaten in their last five home games and have won six of their last eight Champions League contests at the Estadio da Luz.
The Portuguese side have never made it past the last-8 of the Champions League in its current format, but they will be no pushovers given their current form.
The last time these two sides met was way back in 2010, when Liverpool knocked Benfica out of the Europa League in the quarterfinals.
Benfica vs Liverpool Team News
Benfica
Benfica will be without Lucas Verissimo and Rodrigo Pinho for this clash. Adel Taarabt faces a race against time to be fit after missing their 3-2 defeat at Braga last time out.
Benfica have as many as seven players on bookings and will thus have to tread cautiously.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has a full squad at his disposal. Naby Keita is available for selection once again, as are Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Joel Matip, who have all shaken off their respective injuries.
Luis Diaz, Fabinho and Sadio Mane are all pushing for a start after sitting out the game against Watford at the weekend.
Benfica vs Liverpool predicted lineups
Benfica predicted starting lineup (4-4-2): Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo; Rafa, Taarabt, Weigl, Everton; Nunez, Ramos
Liverpool predicted starting lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz
Benfica vs Liverpool Key Players
Benfica – Darwin Nunez
Nunez has developed into one of the most exciting young attackers in Europe following his exploits this season. The Uruguayan has already scored 27 goals in all competitions this season, including the one that knocked Ajax out of the Champions League.
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian is arguably the best player in the world on current form and has netted 28 times in 37 appearances this season, including eight in the Champions League. Salah has also scored in three of his last four Champions League quarter-final away matches.
Prediction: Benfica 1-3 Liverpool
