Liverpool missed out on a golden chance to climb to the top of the Premier League table this weekend but in the end, a 2-2 draw against Manchester City is more than a decent result.
The Reds were the second-best side for large parts of the tie but they will have to quickly get back up and dust themselves off because they now have a Champions League tie against Benfica to look forward to.
Liverpool welcome Benfica to Anfield this week for the 2nd leg of the quarter-finals and they already have a foot in the semis thanks to a 3-1 lead from the reverse fixture.
The manager is expected to rotate his side despite this being a European tie because next weekend they will once again have to face Manchester City in the FA Cup. Benfica should not pose too much of a problem so the Anfield outfit are likely to have an easy 90 minutes on Wednesday.
Liverpool team news and possible rotations vs Benfica:
Joel Matip should move to the bench to make way for Ibrahima Konate who scored against Benfica in the 1st leg. Apart from this one change, the backline will remain the same for Liverpool.
📊 | Virgil van Dijk vs Manchester City:
6 clearances
1 blocked shot
2 interceptions
2 tackles won (100%)
100% aerial duels won
1 clearance off the lineColossal performance from the best CB in the world. Could've been much worse without him. pic.twitter.com/broq7timkh
— The Anfield Buzz (@TheAnfieldBuzz) April 10, 2022
Jordan Henderson was chasing shadows for most of the Manchester City tie and this was one of the worst performances he has given this season.
It’s safe to say that he will be dropped to the bench with Naby Keita coming back into the side. It’s a massive risk to play Thiago and Keita together because both of them are massively injury-prone but Jurgen Klopp does not have too many quality options to fall back to.
Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota both found the back of the net on Sunday but these two forwards will be rested in midweek. Luis Diaz and Bobby Firmino will be starting up front alongside Mo Salah.
Against Man City, no Liverpool player made more tackles (3) or had as many ground duels (13) as Mo Salah.
Against Man City, no Liverpool player created more big chances (2) or made as many key passes (3) as Mo Salah.
Player Of The Season pic.twitter.com/XYrMp2QEif
— harry (@harryatmiller) April 10, 2022
Tactically, the manager is not going to make too many changes it’s just that he will reshuffle his pack so that all of his players remain fresh for next week’s FA Cup clash at Wembley.
The Liverpool boss has players like Oxlade-Chamberlain and Minamino at his disposal but they will only take the pitch if the home side can wrap up the tie early on in the 2nd leg.
Kick-off:
Timing: Wednesday, 13th April at 20:00 BST
Venue: Anfield
Referee: Serdar Gozubuyuk
How to watch:
UK – BTSport.com, BT Sport 3, BT Sport App
India – Sony LIV, JioTV
USA – TUDN.com, TUDN App, Univision NOW, Paramount+, Galavision, TUDNxtra
Read: Man City players’ ratings vs Liverpool.
Read: Liverpool players’ ratings vs Manchester City.
Stats courtesy Fotmob.
