Real Madrid star Karim Benzema has revealed he told Eduardo Camavinga that Liverpool’s defence is their weak link. He saw Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as an ‘opportunity’.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp started Van Dijk and Konate as his centre-half pairing away to Los Blancos on Wednesday. But the pair could not prevent Benzema (78’) from scoring to give Real Madrid a 6-2 win on aggregate during their Champions League Round of 16 meeting.
Van Dijk had started beside Joe Gomez during the first leg as the Galacticos claimed a 5-2 lead last month. Benzema scored twice at Anfield with the 35-year-old’s first strike of the night deflecting in off Gomez. Konate had to miss the first leg following a hamstring injury.
Van Dijk and Konate floundered as Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0
Gomez did not see the final whistle in the first leg having also been somewhat at fault for Vinicius Jr’s brace. The defender did not shut the Brazilian down quickly enough for his first goal. He would also leave Alisson Becker short as Vinicius then pulled the Galacticos level.
Konate’s return from injury ensured Klopp started the Frenchman as Liverpool travelled to Real Madrid to face Benzema et al. But the centre-back and Van Dijk endured a frustrating night at times. Both could, potentially, have done more to prevent Benzema from scoring.
Camavinga played a pass through the centre of Liverpool’s defence to find Benzema for his goal. The striker collected possession stood in between Van Dijk and Konate on the edge of Allison’s area. A poor touch would allow Van Dijk to toe the ball away but only to Vinicius.
Van Dijk then again failed to clear the ball as Vinicius slipped while attempting to shoot. He then squared the ball to Benzema for a tap-in as Konate hopped on the spot. He opted not to follow the striker into the pocket of space inside Liverpool’s area to leave a simple goal.
What has Benzema said about the Reds’ backline being their weak link?
Speaking after the game, Benzema revealed he alerted Camavinga to Van Dijk and Konate being the potential weak link that Real Madrid could exploit before they hosted Liverpool.
“I told him small details as I know that the two Liverpool centre-backs play wide open,” he told Movistar, via quotes by Marca. “There is an opportunity in the centre and we did that in the goal. He is a young player but he has a lot of talent and we are happy with him.”
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