Liverpool 3 Benfica 3 LIVE REACTION: Reds through to Champions League semi-final despite late fight-back from visitors
LIVERPOOL reached the Champions League semi-finals after drawing their last eight second leg 3-3 at Anfield.
The Reds beat Benfica 3-1 out in Portugal last week and put the final nail in the coffin tonight, despite a late fight-back from the Portuguese side.
- RESULT: Liverpool 3-3 Benfica (6-4 on agg)
- Liverpool XI: Alisson, Gomez, Matip, Konate, Tsimikas, Milner, Henderson, Keita, Diaz, Jota, Firmino
- Benfica XI: Vlachodimos, Otamendi, Gilberto, Vertonghen, Grimaldo, Goncalves, Taarabt, Weigl, Everton, Ramos, Nunez
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
Liverpool 2-1 Benfica
63. It looks as though Sadio Mane may be joining us.
All you can hear at the moment is the Benfica fans making themselves heard.
Tsimikas looks to take a free kick out wide for the hosts.
Liverpool 2-1 Benfica
61. Darwin Nunez is receiving treatment after going into the advertising boards chasing the ball.
Liverpool are starting to dominate the ball more.
Diaz tries to find Salah who has replaced Jota.
Liverpool 2-1 Benfica
59. The stadium is rocking again after that goal.
The party atmosphere has returned.
Liverpool looking on course for a semi-final as it stands.
Liverpool 2-1 Benfica
57. Henderson comes off for Fabinho.
Milner leaves the pitch replaced by Thiago.
Liverpool look to freshen things up.
Liverpool 2-1 Benfica
55. We are waiting for the VAR check on the goal.
Diaz was threaded through but could not get to the ball before the keeper but his intervention gave the ball to Tsimikas.
His shot ends up falling into the path of Firmino who slots into the empty net.
Goal - Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
54. The atmosphere has dropped in the ground somewhat.
Things have got a bit scrappy in the middle of the park for both sides.
Everton attacks on the right looking for support.
The boos and jeers accompany the visitor's possession.
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
52. Benfica manage to beat the Liverpool press and break.
Everton's ball was cut out by Alisson.
His throw gives Benfica the ball back but they cannot capitalise as Gomez manages to win the ball back.
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
50. Benfica seem willing to take more chances in these early exchanges.
The visitors seem to have more urgency to get forward.
Liverpool seem to be playing in autopilot at the moment.
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
48. Klopp resists any early changes to his team.
He has his big hitters on the bench but will not want to use them if possible to allow them to rest.
Liverpool will want a goal to force Benfica's hand for the rest of the game.
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
46. Benfica have made one chance at half time.
Yaremchuk replaces Goncalves.
Liverpool start on the front foot with Luis Diaz.
Kick-off: Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
Liverpool get the second half started.
HT: Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
Nélson Veríssimo will be giving his last instruction to his players.
They need to come out of the traps half time and take the game to Jurgen Klopp's team.
An early goal for the visitors and the game is back on a knife edge.
HT: Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
The equaliser for the visitors could not have come at a better time.
There was a danger that Liverpool could run riot if they got another goal after going ahead.
Completely against the run of play, Benfica equalise.
Away from home in Europe you have to be clinical and The Eagles have been just that in this half.
HT: Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
The story of the half so far is the visitors have managed to score the two goals they required here in the first half only for Darwin Nunez's goal to be disallowed.
The visitors pegging Liverpool back after taking the lead.
All to play for in the second half.
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
45+1. Liverpool looking to manage the game currently.
Passing the ball around and frustrating their opponents.
Diaz is dispossessed and Henderson feeds Gomez on the edge of the box, the defender hitting an effort on the half volley.
Vlachodimos saves comfortably.
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
44. Keita goes close with an effort from outside the box.
We will have three additional minutes in this half.
Both teams wanting to go in and regroup now.
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
42. Nothing has changed from Liverpool before or after the visitor's goal as they continue to probe and press.
If Benfica can keep Liverpool out from scoring a second they will grow in confidence.
Passing the ball around well now as the Portuguese fans can be heard loudly from the away end.
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
40. Despite Liverpool being the more dominant side here in the first half, Benfica have been clinical when presented a chance.
Already having a goal disallowed for offside before they eventually scored.
The next goal in this game is a huge one.
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
38. Liverpool should have scored a second there.
Milner plays a great ball into space with the keeper in two minds about coming for it outside of his box.
It seemed the lob was on over the keeper's head but instead the Brazilian unselfishly looks to thread it to Diaz on the back post.
Great challenge from Benfica to nick it off the player's toes.
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
36. Keita has a shot from a long way out.
Very confident from 30 yards out.
Still apologising to his teammates for his choices there.
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
34. Well that goal has changed the atmosphere.
It was much needed for the visitors.
Seems it came off Milner to Ramos which prevented the offside.
Liverpool 1-1 Benfica
32. VAR is having a look at this one.
Great finish by Ramos but it may be offside.
The check it over, The Eagles are level.
Goal - Gonzalo Ramos (Benfica)
Liverpool 1-0 Benfica
29. Luis Diaz has come alive in the last five minutes or so.
He is looking for the ball and making angled runs to open up the Benfica defence.
Firmino header in front of goal somehow deflects off Vertonghen and over the bar.
