Liverpool survived a somewhat late scare by reaching the final four of the UEFA Champions League, drawing 3-3 with Benfica at a packed Anfield.
Ibrahima Konate headed the Reds ahead 20 minutes into the match, only for Matias Ramos to draw his side level 10 minutes later. Roberto Firmino secured passage to the semi-finals with two goals after the break, taking the tie to 6-4 on aggregate and 3-1 on the night. But Roman Yaremchuk and Darwin Nunez scored twice in eight minutes, leaving the Portuguese giants nine minutes to find a further two goals and take the fixture to extra-time.
Jurgen Klopp's side saw the game through though, setting up a tie against Villarreal for a place in the Champions League final. As the Reds kept their quadruple hopes alive, the national media had plenty to say about the performance at Anfield.
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'Remarkable calculated risk'
Jason Burt of the Telegraph wrote:
"It is remarkable that Liverpool could go into a Champions League quarter-final and take a calculated risk as they chase history. Making seven changes for any game always invites danger and by the end Liverpool were also alarmingly counting the goals against as Benfica claimed three and came close to actually forcing the nerviest of endings – but for a fine save from Alisson to deny the hugely impressive Darwin Nunez - when it had appeared it would be a procession for Jurgen Klopp’s side into the last four.
"In the end, in truth, Liverpool made it comfortably enough and there will be rich satisfaction for Klopp as he begins to navigate the final phase of what could be the greatest season ever. There are a maximum of 12 games to go; 12 games to immortality as Liverpool dream of an unprecedented quadruple.
"Having won the Carabao Cup they are chasing down the Champions League (potentially three more games with a semi-final against Villarreal), the Premier League (seven more fixtures) and – on Saturday – face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final.
"Advantage Liverpool as they rotated? Klopp made wholesale changes from the side that faced City last weekend, and used the full security of being able to make five substitutions, and will have caught up later with dispatches of how bruised and battered City were as they retreated back from Atletico Madrid."
'Hard to agree with Klopp over Liverpool issue'
Ian Ladyman of the Mail Online wrote:
"Against Manchester City in the Premier League at the weekend, Liverpool’s defensive line – their offside trap – routinely failed them. Previously it had done so in the Carabao Cup Final against Chelsea and in league games against West Ham and Brighton.
"Liverpool came through those three fixtures unscathed. They didn’t at City, though, and nor did they here. The sight of opposition players running freely like escaping rabbits through Liverpool’s high defensive line is becoming remarkably familiar.
"Klopp said in his post-match TV interview that the issue was ‘absolutely not important’ but it is hard to agree.
"Benfica actually put the ball in the Liverpool five times here. Twice they were denied by close offside calls. So three goals counted. Not enough to bundle Liverpool out of their favourite competition but certainly enough to encourage City ahead of the teams’ FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday and indeed Villarreal before they meet Liverpool in the last four of the Champions League."
'Liverpool did what others dream of with weakened side'
Richard Jolly of the Independent wrote:
"From Bayern Munich to Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester United, Europe abounds with clubs who would love to advance into the last four of the Champions League with a full-strength team. Liverpool did it with a weakened side, setting up a semi-final date with Villarreal and eliminating Benfica while diverting their attentions to Manchester City.
"They will be favourites to reach a third Champions League final in five seasons. They should be the fresher team at Wembley on Saturday as they seek to beat Pep Guardiola’s men and progress to a first FA Cup final in a decade.
"Ibrahima Konate scored and Roberto Firmino struck twice in an example of Liverpool’s strength in depth. Benfica departed Anfield with a creditable draw and three goals as evidence of their attacking abilities, but Jurgen Klopp rested, rotated and reached the next round in entertaining fashion. A 3-3 scoreline completed a 6-4 aggregate triumph and his quest for the quadruple continues."
'A major statement made'
Paul Gorst of the Liverpool Echo wrote:
"It was the early goal the Reds would have craved before kick-off as they looked to avoid a potential slip-up. From there on in, with the tie at 4-1, there was more than an air of inevitability about their progression.
"To be wholly fair to Nelson Verissimo's side though, they refused to ever accept their fate quietly. Goncalo Ramos responded shortly after the half-hour mark to even things up.
"Roberto Firmino was rewarded for some textbook centre-forward play after the restart as he made it 2-1 before Klopp's power play saw Salah, Thiago and Fabinho introduced for James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Diogo Jota.
"As far as statements of intent go from the bench, it was one that summed up why so many believe this Liverpool have the required strength in depth to not only lift a seventh European Cup but in fact go all the way in their quadruple hunt.
"They will have to improve considerably at the back for that achievement to be realised, however. This, after months of sterling defensive work, was a rare off-night for the much-debated high-line tactic. It was at least to be expected with the unfamiliar back four of Joe Gomez, Konate, Joel Matip and Tsimikas."
