Luis Diaz scored a crucial third goal for Liverpool in their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Benfica, as the Reds secured a 3-1 win in Portugal – and Jamie Carragher has branded him “brilliant” on Instagram.
Jurgen Klopp decided to start Sadio Mane down the middle, with Diaz – who recently joined Liverpool from Benfica’s rivals Porto – on the left and Mo Salah on the right. It worked to perfection as Liverpool secured a 3-1 win.
It was Ibrahima Konate that opened the scoring for the Reds, heading home his first Reds goal from an Andy Robertson corner. Diaz laid on the assist for the second, heading a Trent Alexander-Arnold ball to Mane to tap home.
Benfica pulled one back, Rafa Silva’s cross finding the excellent Darwin Nunez who finished well. The Reds had to ride their luck as Benfica created chances – but Diaz put the first leg beyond doubt, on 87 minutes.
Played through on goal by Naby Keita inch-perfectly, the Colombia international rounded the goalkeeper before sliding a left-footed effort into the net. A goal and assist, Diaz earned praise from Carragher on Instagram.
Carragher on Diaz: Liverpool win, but should be out of sight
The quality of the chances Liverpool had on Tuesday night should have seen the Reds score five or six. Salah should have squared to Mane in the first half, Diaz had other chances and Diogo Jota missed a one on one.
Yes, Benfica had chances too but Liverpool should be more ahead than their two-goal advantage. Nevertheless, a solid win and one that should see the Reds ease into the semi-finals in the return leg at Anfield.
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