iverpool make the trip to Benfica on Tuesday night for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie – and the Reds are out to make history repeat itself.
On each of the two previous occasions the sides have met at this stage of the competition, the team from Merseyside claimed victory in both legs and went on to lift the trophy.
In 1978, Emlyn Hughes and Jimmy Case struck in Lisbon to help set up the Reds’ eventual victory over Brugge at Wembley. Four years later, a 5-1 aggregate victory secured passage towards their famous triumph in Rome.
Jurgen Klopp has already lifted the Champions League with Liverpool and is competing on three fronts after downing Inter Milan in the last round, before a routine domestic victory over Watford on the weekend.
Benfica, meanwhile, shocked Ajax in the last-16 yet sit third in the Primeira Liga and are well off the pace in that title fight.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Benfica vs Liverpool is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.
Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz will host the match.
Where to watch Benfica vs Liverpool
TV channel: The match will be televised on BT Sport 3, with coverage beginning at 7.15pm.
Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will be able to watch the match online via the BT Sport website or app.
Live blog: You can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Benfica vs Liverpool team news
Haris Seferovic returned to the Benfica squad for Friday’s defeat at Braga although Adel Taarabt is a doubt. Rodrigo Pinho and Lucas Verissimo are out.
Jurgen Klopp was able to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench on Saturday following his recovery from a hamstring issue. Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz were also saved from the line-up following international duties.
All three could return in Lisbon with Naby Keita (knee) a major doubt. Curtis Jones and Joel Matip picked up knocks against Watford, which will need monitoring ahead of the game.
Benfica vs Liverpool prediction
The Reds managed to get the job done in the away leg back in the last-16, despite not playing particularly well at Inter Milan. On this occasion, they face a Benfica team more than happy to cause an upset.
Still, betting against Liverpool these days does not feel like the smartes of endeavours.
A 2-1 away win.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Benfica wins: 4
Draws: 0
Liverpool wins: 6
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