Peter Schmeichel compared Karim Benzema’s leadership skills to Jordan Henderson’s of Liverpool after Real Madrid booked their place in the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (12/04/22 at 10:50 pm).
The French striker scored the decisive goal in the second leg against Chelsea, with Schmeichel praising Benzema’s qualities of being able to ‘take everybody with him’ out on the pitch, a bit like Henderson does for Liverpool.
Schmeichel also referenced Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City on Sunday in the Premier League, as he thinks Henderson helped drag his team over the line during that titanic title battle at the Etihad.
Now Henderson, who could be rested for his side’s Champions League second-leg tie against Benfica on Wednesday night, will be hoping his team get the job done in front of their own supporters.
Their task is far easier than what Madrid had to go through last night, but this is what Schmeichel had to say about both Benzema and Henderson.
“He (Benzema) came back on (to field after injury),” said Schmeichel. “Even though he had to carry himself over the line, Benzema still went out and put pressure on the defenders.
“That kind of leadership it’s unbelievable to play with players that perform for the big teams and at the big moments. They have that ability to take everybody with them just by just showing.
“Unfortunately in football now, they are far and few between. Jordan Henderson for Liverpool. Carrying Liverpool. It was an unbelievable performance (on Sunday) and that carries teams a long, long way and he (Benzema) did that tonight.”
If Liverpool see off Benfica tonight, then a semi-final clash against Villarreal awaits them.
The Europa League holders, who are managed by ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery, caused the shock of the round when they dumped Bayern Munich out of the competition.
The Reds probably can’t believe their luck because if you offered them beating Benfica and Villarreal in order to get to the final, then they would have snapped your hands off.
But that’s the possible scenario that now awaits Jurgen Klopp and his players in a few hours time.
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