Twitter explodes as Liverpool secure 3-1 win over Benfica in first leg of Champions League quarter-finals

The Reds have secured an advantage in the quarter-final tie with their win

Liverpool secured a hard-fought 3-1 win over SL Benfica in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie on Tuesday night. The Reds will now be confident of reaching the semifinals with the second leg set to be played at Anfield on the 13th of April.

Jurgen Klopp's men opened the scoring on the 17th minute-mark after defender Ibrahima Konate headed home from an Andy Robertson corner. Liverpool doubled their lead 17 minutes later through Senegalese forward Sadio Mane. Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold floated in an inch-perfect ball into the box towards Luis Diaz who unselfishly headed the ball into the path of Mane.

The Merseyside club were in control of the tie going into half-time. However, a defensive error from Konate allowed Darwin Nunez to pull a goal back after the interval. The home side were on the ascendancy in the second-half but did not manage to score an equalizer.

Liverpool took advantage of Benfica's missed opportunities after Luis Diaz rounded the goalkeeper to score the third goal in the 87th minute. Here are some of the reactions to the game on Twitter:

We take a two-goal lead back to Anfield ✊

#SLBLIV | #UCL https://t.co/yjS3FNIkXV

That third goal was a biggie for Liverpool, possibly should have been four right at the end for Jota. Diaz picks up the UEFA Player of the Match award, which absolutely thrills the home support.. #BENLIV #UCL

Superb goal from Diaz should seal it for @LFC. What a signing.

We’re at a point in Liverpool’s history where we’re winning games, 3-1, away, in European quarter-finals and people aren’t satisfied.

What do you want? This is the best it will ever get. Enjoy it.

Superb result in Portugal. Benfica 1 vs @LFC 3 solid performance. 15min of concern buy this is Champions League and ain't going to be easy. Keita was outstanding today.

Wow! @LFC what a goal! #BENLIV

LUISSSSSSS DIAZZZZZ AGAINST FAMILAR OPPONENTS, WHAT A SIGNING HE IS

Liverpool first half 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Liverpool second half 😴😴😴

Liverpool win five consecutive away games in the European Cup/Champions League for the first time since 1984.

Benfica fans throwing sticks at the Liverpool players… #LFC #UCL #BENLIV https://t.co/uPA8a8TVvp

I cannot believe how awful that defending from Konate was tho

Everton fans: ‘Thank god we aren’t playing tonight. It's nice to have a night off.'

Commentator: 'And Éverton misses a great chance to equalise against Liverpool.'

Konate went from Hero to Villain very quick!

Mo Salah is the only player in Liverpool's history that has more Champions League goals than Sadio Mane.

Watching these two together 🔥🔥 https://t.co/jTUoeLqCfP

It’s was just scripted for Luis Diaz to come back to Portugal to score 💪🙌❤️ #BENLIV #Diaz #LFC #YNWA https://t.co/WBkmFWSokn

Fabinho in the celebrations there 😂😂😂 https://t.co/bLDbAjmyaW

Put some respect on Mane’s name… https://t.co/JDeMYmGT71

Look at what it means to him !!!
LUIS DIAZ 👑 https://t.co/doIPyt2F94

Luis Diaz needs a lot of credit for the second goal. Most of our forwards try something crazy there but he was unselfish and put it on a plate for Mane 👏

ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 https://t.co/ZhA8GCDXZP

Trent really is a cheat code https://t.co/xK9JhkTBxM

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Trent Alexander-Arnold against Benfica:

🔘 88 Touches
🔘 55 Passes
🔘 86% Pass Accuracy
🔘 2 Chances Created
🔘 1 Big Chance Created
🔘 11/13 Long Balls
🔘 4 Crosses
🔘 3 Clearances
🔘 1 Tackle
🔘 1 Interception

Fantastic. #SLBLIV #LFC https://t.co/tas4xQ18gf

Top first half red men! Trent is an absolute joke. I don’t think there is a better passer of the ball in world football whether that’s over 5 yards or 55 yards he’s unreal #BENLIV

20 - Following Ibrahima Konate's goal, @LFC have had 20 different goalscorers in all competitions this season, more than any other Premier League side. Plenty. #BENLIV

Diaz feels far more a creator than goal scorer. Unselfish workaholic like Bobby

Liverpool picked up a vital win as they look to end the 2021-22 season on a high. The Reds have a vital month ahead of themselves in April, and a 3-1 win against SL Benfica will do them a ton of good going forward.

It is worth mentioning that Jurgen Klopp's side are currently chasing an unprecedented quadruple, which makes every game from now until the end of the season a must-win.

If the Reds get past Benfica in the quarterfinals, they would face either Bayern Munich or Villarreal in the semifinals. The other two English sides in Manchester City and Chelsea are on the other side of the draw.

Liverpool will now shift their attention towards their Premier League clash against Manchester City

Liverpool will now shift their attention back to the Premier League as they prepare themselves for their away game against Manchester City on the 10th of April. As things stand, Jurgen Klopp's side are currently one point behind Man City in the league standings. The game at the Etihad Stadium will be vital for both sides in their quest for the league title.

Manchester City, meanwhile, picked up a narrow 1-0 win over Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid side. Kevin De Bruyne scored the only goal of the game.

⏰ RESULTS ⏰

Quarter-finals 🔥

🔵 Man. City claim first-leg win; De Bruyne nets second-half clincher

🔴 Konaté, Mané & Luis Díaz inspire Liverpool in Lisbon; Darwin Núñez scores Benfica consolation

🤔 Second-leg predictions?

#UCL

It is also worth noting that both sides have been drawn alongside one another in the semifinals of the FA Cup, which is scheduled to take place on the 16th of April. The game at Wembley Stadium will be three days after the Reds' second leg tie against Benfica at Anfield.