Assisting Liverpool In Defeating Benfica 3-1, Klopp Makes History

JAKARTA - Liverpool successfully beat Benfica 3-1 in the first leg of the 2021/2022 Champions League quarter-finals. These results not only opened up opportunities for the Reds to qualify for the advanced stages, but also made a new history for the coach, Jurgen Klopp.

In the match at the Estadio Da Luz on Wednesday, April 6, WIB, Liverpool won through two goals from Ibrahima Konate and Sadio Mane in the first half. Benfica had returned one goal through Darwin Nunez, but Luis Diaz's goal ensured Liverpool's victory in the last four minutes of the game.

This 3-1 victory eased the pace of the Reds when they hosted Benfica at Anfield Stadium in the second leg later. Because Liverpool only needs a minimal draw to advance to the next round, on the other hand, Benfica faces a tough job as they must win by a three-goal margin.

For Klopp, this victory also carved out an impressive individual record for him. Now, he is the first manager to successfully lead Liverpool to win eight away games in a row, in which Mohamed Salah et al scored 16 goals and conceded only two.

Quoted from BBC Sport, Liverpool's impressive record started with a 2-0 win over Arsenal (Carabao Cup semi-final), 3-1 vs Crystal Palace (English League), 1-0 vs Burnley (English League), 2-0 vs Inter Milan (Champions League), 2-0 vs Brighton (English League), 2-0 vs Arsenal (English League), 1-0 vs Nottingham Forest (FA Cup), before crushing Benfica.

However, the coach said the meeting with Benfica was not easy. The hosts put up a strong fight but Liverpool finally managed to smile.

"Coming here and winning an away game in the Champions League is difficult," Klopp said of the match against Benfica.

“Benfica played really hard, we gave them a little too much resistance but they deserved to score too even though we could have defended better. It was a tough game, we knew 2-0 was nothing. It's fun but nothing more," said Klopp.