Ibrahima Konate, Sadio Mane, and Luis Diaz got on the scoresheet as SL Benfica succumbed to a 3-1 loss to Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. Darwin Nunez was the only scorer for the home side at the Estadio da Luz.
The Reds side took the lead in the first half through Konate and Mane. Although in-form Uruguayan striker Nunez pulled one back for the Portuguese outfit just after the first half, Nelson Verissimo’s men lost the game late, with former Porto winger Diaz putting the final nail in their crown.
However, there was controversy involved in the final minutes of the match. Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson – who had earlier assisted the goal for Konate – was standing beside the flag, preparing to take a corner. It was at that moment that objects were thrown at him by the crowd behind.
When asked about the incident after the match, the Scotland international told BT Sport that he was lucky that the objects didn’t hit him directly. While he understands that it’s tough for fans to accept the late goal, it’s unacceptable to do something that risks players getting injured.
“I had quite a few lighters thrown at me – maybe it will help them stop smoking. You’ve got to take the positives. We’ve seen it a lot, people getting hit, luckily, they were all quite close to me but they didn’t hit me.
“It’s tough when it’s late in the game and the fans are frustrated but you should not throw stuff onto the pitch. It could hurt people. I was just trying to take the corner and get out of there as quick as possible,”
he said.
Robertson also stressed on how big a game it is going to be for his team against Benfica next week. A win there will guarantee Jurgen Klopp’s side a semi-final berth. Liverpool will also face Benfica in the second leg at Anfield on April 13.
