Gary Lineker was seriously impressed by Luis Diaz as he helped Liverpool to a 3-1 win over Benfica. The Reds have a foot in the semi-finals.
Liverpool saw off Benfica in Lisbon on Tuesday evening, winning 3-1 in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg. It’s a massive win – one that puts them on the verge of another semi-final.
It wasn’t easy, though. Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead before half-time and everything looked comfortable, only for Benfica to roar back. A mistake by Ibrahima Konate gave them a way back into the tie and you’ve got to say they had some great chances to equalise.
Fortunately for Liverpool, they didn’t take them. That left the door open for the Reds to take back their dominant position – they did just that.
Naby Keita tried to play Luis Diaz in behind as Liverpool mounted an attack. His pass took a deflection but, if anything, the knick helped turn it into an even better pass.
Diaz found himself through on goal, rounded the goalkeeper and restored the two-goal lead. Liverpool looked strong again. It certainly impressed Gary Lineker, who commented about the goal on Twitter.
“Superb goal from Diaz should seal it for [Liverpool],” he wrote. “What a signing.”
Luis Diaz for Liverpool
Diaz has been electric since arriving at Liverpool – we’ve been seriously impressed along with everyone else. This was his big moment, though, and potentially the defining one of his early career with the Reds.
It’s all well and good looking the part but this was a decisive moment that could well be one we look back on historically. Everyone would now expect Liverpool to progress – that wouldn’t necessarily have been the case if Benfica found the game’s fourth goal.
A massive goal and a great finish.
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