Benfica and Liverpool meet in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, April 5.
On TV
The pitch
Liverpool’s steamroller arrives in Lisbon as many predicted a fairly easy run to the last four for a side that had won seven out of seven before falling narrowly in the Round of 16 at home to Inter ; his efforts in the first leg were enough. Watch out for Benfica who surprised Ajax in the round of 16 thanks to the spectacular Darwin Núñez.
Latest compositions
Benfica: Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo; Weigl, Taarabt; Everton, Goncalo Ramos, Rafa Silva; Darwin Núñez
Suspension to the next carton : Grimaldo, João Mário, Otamendi, Gonçalo Ramos, Rafa Silva, Weigl, Yaremchuk
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Fabinho, Thiago Alcántara; Salah, Diogo Jota, Mané
Suspension to the next carton : Jota, Mané
Away goals rule abolished
There has been a rule change for 2021/22: in the event of an aggregate draw, away goals will no longer make the difference, instead extra time will be played and, if necessary, a penalty shootout.
Declarations
Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool coach
I know people are going to say we’re the favourites, but…we’ve been around too long to make those kind of mistakes. I respect what they do a lot, it’s a huge club. Obviously we have a few guys who know Porto in my squad, so maybe there’s a bit of that derby feeling.
Odysseas Vlachodimos, Benfica, goalkeeper
Liverpool is a great club, a historic club. I will really enjoy playing at Anfield, but first I will savor our game here with our fans behind us. We will give our all and see where it takes us.
The venue for the 2022 final
The Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, will host the final on Saturday May 28 at 9 p.m.
The winners earn a place in the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage, if they did not qualify through their domestic competition.
