Liverpool

Follow all the action live from the quarter-final first leg in Lisbon.

Follow all the action live below: Liverpool will be strong favourites against Benfica, who are currently only third in the Primeira Liga. They did edge out Barcelona to reach the knockout stages, though, before defeating Ajax over two legs in the round of 16. Follow all the action as Benfica host Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Liverpool travel to Benfica tonight in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Benfica vs Liverpool prediction Benfica vs Liverpool starting lineups and team news Where to watch Benfica vs Liverpool

37 min: A speculative effort from Everton is easily held by Alisson. Benfica will need something here because a two-goal deficit, or worse, ...

Paul Gorst speaks to Spanish football manager Julio Velazquez who has worked in Portugal for the last three years.

From my point of view, there is no doubt that he has not yet reached the peak of his capabilities and he can improve in all aspects.” If there’s one team who will know all about Diaz’s potential threat, however, it is Porto’s historic rivals Benfica and Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final opponents will be more versed in dealing with the talents of the Reds’ new man than any other team he has come up against during his fledgling days at Anfield. “I think Benfica will have analysed Liverpool's team very well, and for them the most important thing will be to try to counter the collective and try to prevent the potential of the English team from being translated on the pitch” Velazquez says in a chat with the ECHO. “Of course, there are individual players in Liverpool's team that Benfica will have to take into account, and Luis Diaz is one of them, but I would say that the Portuguese team will have to face the opponent through a collective perspective. He's still very young, he has a lot of ability, and some people who know him well tell me that he also has those qualities at a human level, which is also very important for him to evolve and have the hunger to improve more and more. He's someone who can solve a game, he very strong in one-on-one situations with a lot of ability to hurt the opponent and fantastic in the last third of the pitch. He makes the difference.” One of the key aspects behind the decision to sign Diaz was a type of playing style that is not too dissimilar to how Klopp likes to operate up front. Diaz has been central to the renewed belief, hitting the ground running at quite the pace that has many eagerly anticipating what might be possible of the 25-year-old once he has a full pre-season to fall back on Liverpool. His man-of-the-match performance in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea showed that Diaz has a flair for the big games and with Klopp’s men going for the lot between now and the end of May, the sizeable fixtures will only continue to come. READ MORE: Alex Ferguson blanked Liverpool legend for '20 years' after overhearing private joke 'A NIGHTMARE': 13 players who left Liverpool after falling out with Rafa Benitez READ MORE: Liverpool defender got his wish after £5m exit and Jurgen Klopp social media incident “Luis Diaz is a world-class player, there is no doubt about it,” says Julio Velazquez, a manager with decades of experience that includes stints with Villarreal, Udinese and Real Betis. Velazquez has spent the last few years of his career in Portuguese football with Vitoria Setubal and Maritimo and watched on from close quarters as Diaz become the third big export out of the country in recent years behind Joao Felix (£113m to Atletico Madrid) and Bruno Fernandes (£70m to Manchester United). “Luis is at an extraordinary level, he can play in any top team in European football, and he was a player that was in the top five of the Portuguese league.

Referee Taylor is from Wythenshawe in Manchester while VAR official Tierney hails from Wigan, which falls within the Greater Manchester area.

Liverpool fans have been left outraged after Anthony Taylor (left) and Paul Tierney (right) were appointed referee and VAR respectively for Sunday's title showdown with Man City With the two teams neck and neck at the top of the Premier League table, the Liverpool fanbase aren't best pleased that two men with Manchester connections will be in charge. 'Mancs refereeing Mancs!': Liverpool fans left FURIOUS after Anthony Taylor is put in charge of Sunday's title showdown with Man City with Paul Tierney VAR as Premier League chiefs are slammed as 'incompetent'

Liverpool play Benfica in the Champions League this evening and here is how you can watch, stream or follow the action live.

In terms of fitness and injuries, Klopp has a near fully fit squad to choose from at just the right moment. With the continuation of Liverpool's hectic April schedule, Jurgen Klopp may shuffle the pack once again. The app is available to download on mobile and tablet, as well as streaming devices, games consoles, and even direct to select Smart TVs. Benfica were, of course, also the opponents to knock out Benitez's Champions League-winning side in 2006. And if you want to follow every kick of the game, follow the Liverpool ECHO live blog right here. No contract.

Anthony Taylor has been chosen to referee Sunday's fixture between Liverpool and Man City - while Paul Tierney will be on VAR duty.

Plenty asked: 'How is Anthony Taylor allowed to referee the game?' while pointing out the history Klopp has with Tierney. Reds supporters took to social media to point out that City are currently two points clear at the top which could be attributed to that one game. Tierney was the man in the middle when Everton played Man City and failed to award the Toffees a last-minute penalty for Rodri's blatant handball, a game which City went on to win.

The first legs of the Champions League quarter-finals get underway this week, with Liverpool travelling to face Benfica and Manchester City hosting Atletico ...

City are obviously desperate to win this competition and all things considered, this should be a decent draw for them. This should be routine for Liverpool though, they’ve had a lot of joy in Portugal in the last couple of years and beat Porto 5-1 earlier this season. He told BetVictor : “This should be a good tie for Liverpool. Benfica are a decent side, and that was a brilliant result for them in the last round, knocking out Ajax. They’ve got experience at the back in Vertonghen and Otamendi and striker Darwin Nunez looks a threat.

Liverpool's first steps into to the NFT market delivered £1.125m in revenue, although 95 per cent of the 'LFC Heroes Club' collection went unsold.

While the sum raised for the Foundation will be a boon, the perceived slow start to Liverpool's entry into the NFT space comes on the back of criticism received from some supporters over the Reds' entry into a market that is largely unregulated and can be detrimental to the environment. A potential 171,072 were available to purchase from the 'Hero' edition, with that figure reached through the possible permutations the generative algorithm could create, such as the different facial expressions and expression of traits of each of the player and staff NFTS. Of that 171,072, the Reds managed to sell only 5.7 per cent of the full drop, with 9,721 limited editions sold. A total of £281,375 has been raised for LFC Foundation from overall sales so far, money which will go towards its work in the community, including their education and employability programmes, inclusion and special educational needs and disability support. These were be priced at around £56 and a cap existed on the amount of blind pack NFTs that could be purchased. Within the sale window, the ‘Legendary’ 1 of 1 NFTs, which consist of 24 legendary heroes, will be made available to purchase through a live auction. The club created two categories of digital collectibles - a set of 24 unique ‘Legendary’ 1 of 1 NFTs, and a series of generative ‘Hero Edition’ NFTs that combine multiple player illustrations to produce a unique digital collectible for each fan.

The winger, unbeaten against the Portuguese side in eight matches, scored one and set up another in the 3-1 victory.

Virgil Van Dijk had insisted that what this team is doing should “not be taken for granted”, and that was revealed as a useful reminder when Benfica rebelled in the second half. This is the city where the manager was on a break with his family when he got the call telling him that Liverpool wanted him. The game wasn’t even two minutes old when Díaz was first dumped on the floor, a roar greeting the tackle, but he was still standing at the end. Named man of the match, he might not have been the outstanding player here – Trent Alexander Arnold’s sumptuous diagonal passing gave him a strong claim to that – but Díaz had certainly been decisive. Not just in this match but perhaps in the tie, leading Liverpool towards the Champions League semi-final. In the end, it had to be him standing there before them.

Liverpool will take a two-goal lead into the Champions League quarter-final second leg after earning victory over Benfica in Lisbon.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Attempt blocked. Luis Díaz (Liverpool) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the centre of the goal. - Shots - 22Lazaro - 15Yaremchuk - 14Seferovic - 5Vertonghen - 30Otamendi - 2Junior - 99Vlachodimos "It's half-time, we know much more about our opponent, they will go for it again.

Benfica 1-3 Liverpool LIVE! Champions League result, match stream and latest updates today. VIEW COMMENTS.

65 mins: Yet again, Alexander-Arnold is the man to unlock the door. 90+1 mins: There’s late concern here for Liverpool because Fabinho is down after a nasty clash of heads. “I know we know a lot of players, obviously, from Premier League or Bundesliga or wherever so you can say it’s a proper team and we have to be really good, that’s true.”

Liverpool analysis after the 3-1 win over Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final.

And that was justified three minutes from time when the midfielder won the ball inside his own half then carried possession 40 yards before again playing in Diaz, who this time went around Vlachodimos and slotted home. Both had difficult experiences when Liverpool were at this stage of the Champions League last term, Keita hooked before half-time against Real Madrid never to play again until this campaign, Thiago benched for both legs. Remarkably, only four times previously had they even been on the pitch together at the same time - at Chelsea last season, and this term against Newcastle, Burnley and Inter Milan. The sum total came to 95 minutes.

Located on in the Havelock Building on the corner of Berry Street and Bold Street in Liverpool city centre, The Cabin Club welcomed generations across the ...

We’re working hard on a design that will be sympathetic to the building and an offer that guests will love." Founded by brothers George and Jimmy Craig, the three-floor venue in the former Cabin Club vowed to keep the building's rich musical heritage going. The new owners had not yet finalised their plans for the building, but the ECHO understood it was being considered for conversion into a gastro-pub, possibly with residential space above. Attractions, lost venues or perhaps the way of life. But by 2015, it was announced that the former Liverpool nightspot which inspired a Beatles song was set for dramatic overhaul. Here, we take a brief look back at what happened next to the popular site and memories of The Cabin Club. What do you miss most about the past? We’re intending spend about £700,000 on the fit out and employ about 60 staff. Ian McHale said: "Some funny nights in that place .... think my liver is still in there!." But by 2015, the venue closed after decades of incredible nights and over the years attracted different developments and plans before re-opening as Jimmy's in 2019. A staple landmark opposite the Bombed Out Church, it was a popular nightspot for party-goers. There were also small, intimate booths and al thick carpet which remained there for decades.

Get a report of the Benfica vs. Liverpool 2021-22 UEFA Champions League, Quarterfinals football match.

Then just a few minutes later, Trent Alexander-Arnold capitalized immediately on a Benfica giveaway in the midfield to supply a wondrous diagonal ball over the top of the Benfica defense. Spurred on by a reawakened home crowd, Benfica continued to threaten to level the tie up. First, on 17 minutes, Andy Robertson supplied a pinpoint corner kick and Konate rose highest to power a header down and in from six yards for the centre-back's first Liverpool goal. We have a good result, we know much more about our opponent going to the second game and are aware of their quality." Instead, with three minutes remaining, Diaz seized on a through ball from Naby Keita to restore Liverpool's two-goal advantage heading into next week's second leg at Anfield. "The game was much more open than we expected.

Liverpool are now in a strong position to reach a third Champions League semi-final under Klopp, with the return game at Anfield next Wednesday. And of the ...

And of the scoreline, the Reds boss said: “It doesn't tell the whole story but the most important thing is we came here for a result. “It was clear when they scored the crowd would be back and the atmosphere would be good. They have all had a tough period so that was why it was helpful we could bring fresh legs.” “That is how it looks, it is a cut on the back of his head and there is no hair to hold the blood back. “Now it is time for it to settle. If the game is kind of decided then you are a bit more with the players who come off.

Liverpool scored twice in the first half to take command of this quarter-final tie before Luis Díaz grabbed a late clincher.

We will work to get a good result in the second leg." If in the first half Liverpool were in cruise control, in the second Benfica reacted. We are confident, this was demonstrated in the second half. We usually score more [in those situations] but we didn't, mainly because of the goalkeeper so credit to him." The third goal was big." "In a very difficult game and atmosphere, he decided the game.

Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have reaffirmed their commitment to 'winning championships' and their responsibility to deliver for fans.

With these fundamental commitments, FSG hopes to leave each of its organizations stronger for the next generation." Fenway Park and Anfield Stadium, dismissed as relics of a prior era, are now spectacular year-round entertainment destinations that preserve the charm and integrity with which they were built over a century ago. But across the Atlantic a new season is set to get underway, with the Boston Red Sox ready to get their 2022 campaign up and running.

John Stones has said Manchester City will call on their experience of the 2019 title race to see off Liverpool's challenge this season.

"This week is vital for us in how we prepare and we stay calm about that because we've been in situations like this before," Stones said. "There's obviously that extra buzz about the game personally and what it means but it is just another game. "We went 14 games unbeaten and we know every game is so important to us.

Jurgen Klopp's side survived a second half scare from the in-demand Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez to earn a commanding first-leg lead in Lisbon.

Liverpool handed out instant punishment when Benfica gave the ball away again to go 2-0 up in the 34th minute with a superb goal. If anything they might have felt a little disappointed to be only 2-0 up at the break. - Mane – 6

Liverpool principal owner John Henry believes the continued growth of Fenway Sports Group is what will be able to sustain success for their teams at the ...

"I wanted to work and live in an area where baseball mattered, so I told my partners they had better be ready to own the team for a very, very long time. *Pick up tomorrow's Daily Mirror and get a FREE £2 Shop Bet with William Hill which can be used on any of the sport action! Growing the FSG family has strengthened each of our clubs competitively over the last two decades with an increasing amount of learning and cross-pollination that goes on within our various enterprises." Add to that businesses such as Fenway Sports Management, Fenway Sports Group Real Estate, the NESN TV network and investments into businesses such as basketball icon LeBron James' SpringHill Entertainment company and the growth of the business is clear. They have managed to achieve success by spending less their many of their rivals and through being able to support their ambitions through growing revenues. As Liverpool chase down an unprecedented quadruple, quite what happens when Klopp decides to end his time at Anfield raises question marks over whether the current levels of success can be sustained.

Benfica went perfectly for Liverpool on Tuesday night and could prove ideal preparation for a potentially decisive moment in the Premier League title race ...

We play now against the best team in the world, that’s how it is, but we will give it a try anyway. The comfort of the two-goal lead in a Champions League quarter-final, and Liverpool’s evident superiority over Benfica for most of the night, offers Klopp an opportunity in the second leg to rest Salah before the FA Cup semi-final against Pep Guardiola’s team three days later. This is not really likely but that’s why we take it game by game and then it’s maybe a little bit more possible, but it will be really tough. Liverpool’s leading marksman has scored once in his last nine outings for club and country, a penalty at Brighton, and will view City as the perfect occasion to respond. The 3-1 win at Estadio da Luz was their eighth consecutive victory on the road in all competitions, a new Liverpool record, and while Klopp spoke of his team “really digging deep and fighting with all they have” to extend the sequence in Portugal, overall it was Liverpool’s most commanding performance for several weeks. As at Inter, when Henderson, Keita and Luis Díaz were introduced with the hosts increasingly dangerous, it was circumstances on the night rather than with a mind on the next game that prompted Klopp to withdraw Thiago Alcântara, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah in the 61st minute against Benfica. But they should all feel the benefit.

Liverpool analysis on Luis Diaz, Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold after a 3-1 win against Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final.

The barrage of flagpoles thrown at Diaz by the frustrated Benfica faithful were met with a dismissive smile. That personal battle continues to propel Liverpool towards further success. And from first minute to last, he was targeted by both Benfica players and fans. And on the other flank, Andy Robertson’s assist for the opener moves him on to 14 for the season, closing to within three of his fellow full-back. Composed and strong, Konate also found time to saunter upfield and head in Andy Robertson’s inswinging corner from the right for the first goal of his Liverpool career to nudge Klopp’s side in front on 17 minutes. Beginning on the left flank, Diaz moved to the right for the final half-hour but was in a central position to calmly convert the goal late on that gave Liverpool a winning margin their overall display deserved.

Former Liverpool forwards Michael Owen and Peter Crouch have shared their thought's on Sunday's Premier League 'title decider' between their old club and ...

"I think it’s down to who is in form on the day. Along with City, Jurgen Klopp's side still need to play Manchester United, Everton and Tottenham before the season draws to a close on May 22. A defeat for either team would represent a huge blow in their push to secure the title this season.

The chances of Erling Haaland becoming a Liverpool player this summer look very slim after comments by Jurgen Klopp.

To be honest, I don’t want anything to do with it. He told SportBild: “Erling Haaland? We still know nothing from player’s side. The numbers involved are just crazy – we’ll be having nothing to do with it.