Liverpool, winner 3-1 at Benfica in the first legstarts as a huge favorite to reach the semifinals of the Champions League, a goal that he shares with Manchester City, in danger at Atlético Madrid, arriving in the Spanish capital with a single goal advantage (1-0 at the Etihad Stadium).
The Reds, who won the Champions League in 2019, did their best in the first leg at the Estadio de la Luz, and it would be surprising to see Liverpool sink at Anfield. Jürgen Klopp’s players hardly know defeat: they have only conceded once this season on the European scene, and without consequences, in the round of 16 second leg against Inter Milan (1-0).
Diaz, Klopp’s bet
Although Liverpool should not be overconfident, since that only setback came at their stadium against an Inter team that came close to coming back after the English triumph in the first leg at the San Siro 2-0.
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Luis Díaz was left without playing in Liverpool’s victory.
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Furthermore, Liverpool’s spearhead, Egyptian Mohamed Salah, does not appear to be in his best form since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), where the Pharaohs lost in the final against Senegal on February 6.
The presence of the Colombian Luis Díaz is expectedwho started in the first leg, in which he scored the third goal of the match and not only received all the praise, but was chosen as the best player of the match.
Díaz only played 20 minutes on Sunday in the great game against Manchester City in the Premier League, so it is possible that Klopp has him as a weapon to face the Champions League. The Colombian has played 3 games in the European tournament since he arrived at the English club, and has scored a goal.
In fact, Klopp said that the line-up could have variants and that he is not thinking about it for the game that follows, but for the one he played against City. “It’s a very tight schedule, no one has been injured as far as I know, but we have to see who is fresher.”
Klopp longs for the semifinal
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Luis Díaz (right) leaves behind Gilberto, from Benfica,
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Miguel A. Lopes. efe
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In addition, Klopp stressed that they want to be the team “that nobody wants to meet” and that he hopes to show the same image as last week. “We played well at Benfica and I liked it. The objective is to be that team that nobody wants to face. Playing aggressively, defending well… We know how they play, how they try to isolate Darwin and take advantage of Rafa Silva’s speed. There is a lot to work on”, said Klopp at a press conference.
If Liverpool eliminate Benfica, they will contest their third Champions League semi-final since Klopp arrived. A boost to a club that is looking for poker titles this season.
Liverpool vs. Benfica
2 p. m.
TV: ESPN
EFE and AFP
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