Our prediction for this Champions League match:
A spot in the Champions League semis will be at stake when Benfica and Liverpool face each other in a highly-anticipated double-header. Benfica did well to shock Ajax in the last 16, and they are now on a quest to claim yet another major scalp. Key attacker Darwin Nunez is back after he was rested in a 3-2 loss to Braga, while both Lucas Verissimo and Rodrigo Pinho remain in the recovery room.
The Reds, on the other hand, booked their place in the quarter-finals by beating Inter in the two-legged tie. Jurgen Klopp’s men are enjoying yet another season to remember, and seeing that Benfica experienced all sorts of problems at the back in the loss to Braga, away win should be considered. Both Sadio Mane and Fabinho are back to the starting XI after coming as substitutes in a 2-0 win over Watford, while Naby Keita and Joel Matip are rated doubtful.
Highlighted Player (Jan Vertonghen):
After spending four years at Ajax, in 2006 Jan Vertonghen signed a loan deal with RKC Waalwijk. The left-footed defender spent one season at Mandemakers Stadion and he returned to Ajax for the 2007/2008 season. The highly rated footballer, who is capable of playing as both centre back and left back, signed a deal with Tottenham Hotspur on 8 July, 2012 and he has been playing for the Premier League outfit ever since.
The Belgian defender scored four goals for the Spurs in the 2012/2013 Premier League season and he made 34 league appearances for the White Hart Lane outfit back then. In the 2015/2016 season Jan Vertonghen and his teammates were producing brilliant displays with Tottenham, but the Spurs eventually finished the campaign in third place in the standings.
Speaking of his international career, Vertonghen made it to both World Cup (2014) and Euro (2016) quarter-finals with the Belgian national team. Jan was born on 24 April, 1987 and his shirt number is 5.
Highlighted Team (Liverpool):
Founded back in 1892, Liverpool are one of England’s and world’s most famous clubs. The Reds hold a high-profile rivalry with Everton and there have always been fireworks when the two teams take on each other in the Merseyside derby.
The Reds welcome their opponents at Anfield and it has to be noted that they have already won 18 first division trophies. Liverpool were on the verge of lifting the 2014/2015 Premier League trophy, but Steven Gerrard slipped in the decider against Chelsea and left the Reds without a title.
Liverpool won one of their last Champions League trophy's in 2005, with the team coming from three goals behind to beat Milan in a historic clash in Istanbul. The Reds have clinched six European Cups and it is no surprise they are regarded as one of the greatest European clubs.
The likes of Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Paul Ince, Ian Rush, Graeme Souness, Sami Hyypia and Luis Suarez are some of the most notable footballers to have represented the club over the years. The club’s anthem is You’ll Never Walk Alone and their shirt colour is red.