UCL 2022: Firmino fires Liverpool into semis despite Benfica rally

Liverpool set up a Champions League semi-final with Spain’s Villarreal after Roberto Firmino scored twice in a 3-3 second-leg draw with Benfica on Wednesday to ensure a 6-4 aggregate win

There were a few nerves at the end but Liverpool set up a Champions League semi-final with Spain’s Villarreal after Roberto Firmino scored twice in a 3-3 second-leg draw with Benfica on Wednesday to ensure a 6-4 aggregate win.

Juergen Klopp’s side had been 3-1 up on the night before the visitors struck twice late in the game to create a jittery finale to what had appeared to be a comfortable passage.

The Lisbon side exited the competition with the applause of their own fans – and Liverpool’s – ringing in their ears after delivering a performance full of belief and commitment until the end.

With a 3-1 lead from the first leg in Lisbon, Liverpool manager Klopp made seven changes to the team which drew with Manchester City at the weekend, but his squad showed their improved strength in depth with Luis Diaz and Kostas Tsimikas particularly impressing.

Benfica forward Darwin Nunez had seen an effort ruled out for offside before Liverpool took the lead with a powerful header from a corner by defender Ibrahima Konate in the 21st minute.

Konate, who had also scored in the first leg, rose well to meet Tsimikas’s corner and give Liverpool a three-goal cushion.