Liverpool take a 2-goal lead into the Champions League quarter-final second leg at Anfield but Jurgen Klopp cautioned that his side are “not in dreamland” after an important victory over Benfica in Lisbon.
“Coming here and winning an away game in the Champions League is tough. Obviously, Benfica fought for their lives,” said Klopp.
“We could have scored in the last minute – the fourth one would be nice but we’re not in dreamland here.
Luis Diaz scored late on to put Klopp’s side in control of the encounter but they could have been out of sight were it not for a number of fine saves from Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Liverpool take a 2-goal lead in a hostile atmosphere
Ibrahima Konate rose highest to head the visitors into the lead from a corner before Sadio Mane added a clinical second to dampen the mood at a lively Estadio da Luz in a dominant first half.
The home fans ramped up the noise again shortly after the interval when Konate’s mistake allowed sought-after striker Darwin Nunez to pull one back for the Portuguese outfit and make it a contest.
Their progress in Europe now looks set but it was not comfortable for the visitors until Diaz skipped round goalkeeper Vlachodimos to score his side’s third with three minutes to go.
But the Premier League side will have a healthy advantage when they welcome Benfica in the second leg next Wednesday after Diaz added a late third with a really good finish after rounding Vlachodimos, who also denied Diogo Jota in the final moments.
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Liverpool take a 2-goal lead which delights Fabrizio Romano
Jurgen Klopp on Luís Diaz: “He’s a top player. He’s a top, top world level player. It’s a joy for me to work with Luís every day, and I’m more than happy that we decided to sign him in January”. 🔴🇨🇴 #LFC
That moment when LFC decided to jump into it in 24 hours… what a signing. pic.twitter.com/15Qp72WMSB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 5, 2022