Match details:

UEFA Champions League, 2021-22
Liverpool vs. Benfica
Anfield, Liverpool
Date. April 14, 2022
Kick-off: 12:30 am IST

Preview:

Liverpool will face Benfica in the second-leg quarterfinal game of the UEFA Champions League at Anfield, Liverpool in England. In the last first leg quarterfinal encounter of the Champions League, Liverpool have beaten Benfica by a scoreline of 3-1. Liverpool managed to play a 2-2 draw against Manchester City in the last game of the Premier League. On the other hand, Benfica succeeded to secure an easy 3-1 win against Belenenses SAD in the last Primeira Liga encounter.

After examining the recent form and statistics of these two sides, Liverpool are the clear favourites to secure a win in this encounter but we can expect goals from both ends of the pitch.

Head to Head record:

Liverpool: 2
Benfica: 3
Draw: 0

Suspension, Not available & Injured:

Liverpool:

No missing players

Benfica:

Lucas Verissimo (Injured), Rodrigo Pinho (Injured)

Probable starting line-up:

Liverpool(4-3-3):

Alisson, Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah

Benfica(4-2-3-1):

Odysseas Vlachodimos, Gilberto, Nicolas Otemendi, Jan Vertonghen, Alejandro Grimaldo, Julian Weigl, Adel Taarabt, Rafa Silva, Goncalo Ramos, Everton, Darwin Nunez

Top picks:

Mohamed Salah: Liverpools attacking forward has scored 8 goals in the Champions League this season. He has also scored 20 goals and claimed 11 assists in the Premier League this season. He has an average of 2.9 shots per game on goal with a successful passing percentage of 81. He is a clear choice for captaincy in your small league fantasy teams.

Darwin Nunez: Benficas attacking forward has scored 5 goals in the Champions League this season. He has also managed to score 24 goals and provided 3 assists in the Primeira Liga this season. He has an average of 1.6 shots per game on goal with a successful passing percentage of 57. He is a differential pick for captaincy in this encounter.

Sadio Mane: Liverpools attacking forward has scored 3 goals in the Champions League this season. He has also managed to score 13 goals along with an assist in the Premier League this season. He has an average of 1.4 shots per game on goal with a successful passing percentage of 83. He is a must-have pick in your small league fantasy teams.

Rafa Silva: Benficas attacking forward has scored a goal and an assist in the Champions League this season. He has also managed to score 8 goals and claimed 15 assists in the Primeira Liga this season. He has an average of 1.0 shots per game on goal with a successful passing percentage of 80. He is a must-have pick in your small league fantasy teams.

Choices for captain and vice-captain:

Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Sadio Mane, Rafa Silva

Score prediction for the Small League:

Liverpool(3-2)Benfica

Team combination:

Preferable contest: Head to Head, Small league up to 10 members.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and are not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.