Firmino fires Liverpool into semis despite Benfica rally

Liverpool, April 13 (BNA): There was some tension at the end but Liverpool held their Champions League semi-final match with Spanish side Villarreal after Roberto Firmino scored twice in the 3-3 second-leg draw with Benfica on Wednesday to secure a 6-4 aggregate win. .

Jurgen Klopp’s side were up 3-1 on the night before the visitors scored two late in the game to create a tense finale on what looked like a comfortable pass.

Lisbon were knocked out of the competition with their fans applauding – and Liverpool’s applauding – in their ears after delivering a faith-filled and committed performance to the end.

Leading 3-1 from the first leg in Lisbon, Liverpool boss Klopp made seven changes to the team that drew with Manchester City at the weekend, but his side showed their improved strength in depth with Luis Diaz and Costas Tsimikas in particular.

Benfica striker Darwin Nunez witnessed the cancellation of an offside attempt before Liverpool advanced with a powerful header from a corner kick by defender Ibrahima Konate in the 21st minute.

Konate, who also scored in the first leg, went up well to meet Tsimikas’ corner and give Liverpool a three-goal goal.

And the lead lasted that night only 11 minutes before Benfica equalized through Goncalo Ramos, who beat Alisson Becker after James Milner interfered with his hand on the edge of the penalty area.

Brazilian Firmino scored two goals after the end of the first half, as Liverpool were looking to confirm their place in the semi-finals for the third time in five seasons.

He made the score 2-1 in the 55th minute after Benfica goalkeeper Odyssias Flashodemos hit the ball and the defenders were unable to clear their lines and Diogo Jota’s pass, which was missed by the Brazilian at the back post.

Firmino’s second goal was even more elegant – Tsimikas blasted a free kick over the Benfica defense to beat striker Flaudimus with a shot from the other side.

But Benfica held on to the task well, putting two goals back in the closing stages to bring a degree of tension back to Anfield.

Substitute Roman Yarimchuk made it 3-2, with the Ukrainian attacking a through pass from Alejandro Grimaldo and Alisson’s pass before slipping into the empty net.

The goal was initially reported for offside but was allowed after a video review.

It was a similar story that night for the equalizer – with Nunez’s efforts, after Benfica unleashed Liverpool’s offside trap, which was also ruled out before the VAR intervened.

Nunez’s superb stoppage-time attempt was called off, but this time the VAR backed the call on the pitch and Liverpool could evade what could be frightening in the final few minutes.

Liverpool’s thoughts will now turn to the FA Cup semi-final with rivals Manchester City for the Premier League title at Wembley on Saturday.

But for Benfica, it was a honorable exit from the tournament as their fans were known in long, noisy appreciation after the final whistle.