Summary
Liverpool will play host to Benfica in the opening leg of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, with both teams aiming to clinch a place in the semi-finals of the competition.
The match will begin at 22:00 Central European Time (CLT).
What’s the latest on the team?
Benfica will be without forward Rodrigo Pinho and defender Lucas Verissimo, while midfielder Adel Taarabt is a doubt after missing the match against Braga on Saturday. Nicolas Otamendi and Jan Vertonghen, both former Premier League players, are expected to start in their place.
Following his absence from Saturday’s victory against Watford, Trent Alexander-Arnold is poised to return for Jurgen Klopp’s side. Curtis Jones and Joe Matip are expected to be available, but Naby Keita’s availability is still in question. The remainder of the Liverpool group is in good shape and ready to go for the match.
What transpired on the first leg of the race?
Liverpool were at their most vicious and deadly when they needed to be. They took the lead through Ibrahima Konaté’s header, which was his first goal for the club, and Sadio Mané’s tap-in made it 2-0 after Luis Dz had met Trent Alexander-sweeping Arnold’s pass with a cushioned header. Despite the fact that Darwin Nez pounced to cut the Reds’ lead in half, Daz executed a clever finish late in the game to put the Premier League side in in control of the fixture.