The critics of Liverpool’s high defensive line would surely rub their hands with joy in the way this match ended. However, the main reason the Reds insist on an approach for which the reward far outweighs the risk was to sit on the boat and have a rare evening leave. No method is foolish. And instead of sitting back and comfortably seeing a four-goal lead in this Champions League quarter-final against Benfica, Liverpool have remained steadfast in their defense throughout the season – and the visitors, and especially Darwin Nunes, have reaped the benefits. . The late goals by Roman Yaremchuk and Nunez, which caused brief concern inside Anfield, were initially identified as offside before the VAR proved legitimate goals, highlighting the small margins on Liverpool tactics. Even the slightest bad communication can make a difference. PLAYER RATING: Luis Diaz and two other brilliant players against Benfica are excellent YOUR BOOKING: Rate the Liverpool players after the overall Champions League victory over Benfica And while there were three changes in the defense, the main absence was that of Virgil van Dijk, the master of the back quartet and whose command of the rearguard is complete. Ibrahima Konate could point the header in the first game for the second time in a draw and a second game in four days for Joel Matip suggests the Frenchman could be in line to start at Wembley on Saturday. Not for nothing, though, Van Dijk remains the main man, the stickler who holds it all together. Reminder Tsimika as the midfield gets tangled Everything Jurgen Klopp said before the race showed the rotation. However, there was intrigue in the Reds boss who made seven changes for a Champions League quarter-final. Instead of being respected by Benfica, this was the management of the team for a team that continues to have hopes for an unprecedented quadruple and was drawn from Sunday’s draw in Manchester City. IAN DOYLE: Jurgen Klopp fast transfer with wild card, big push in Liverpool READ MORE: Manchester City hit with a serious double injury before the Liverpool semi-final PAUL GORST: What Liverpool fans sang to Jürgen Klopp shows what everyone wants That was the reward for the hard work done in Lisbon last week, making it arguably the last time Klopp could change his line-up in recent weeks. The end result, despite the delayed swing, justified the decision. Some players took full advantage of it, such as Firmino. Even better, however, was the left back Costas Tsimikas, the Greek who created goals for the Brazilian and Konate with his sly shots and excited in his work, both in front and in defense. On the other side, Joe Gomez was consistent before being somewhat exposed by Nunez, as Benfica put everything in front of the last quarter. But the midfield was something of a mess, the trio of Jordan Henderson, Nabi Keita and James Milner got off to a good start but eventually lost its way. Finding the right combination for City on Saturday remains a headache for Klopp. Back to the future for the Reds Everything was lost a little in 2016 for Liverpool in Europe. The Reds last faced Villarreal, their opponent in the Champions League semi-final a fortnight ago, six years ago, when they withdrew a place in the Europa League final. Liverpool overcame the defeat of the first match in an exciting night in Anfield only to have the opposite happen in the final, as they left the lead of the half against Sevilla of Unai Emery. Emery, of course, is the mastermind behind Villarreal’s win over Manchester United in last season’s Europa League final to win their place in the Champions League and then prevent Juventus and Bayern Munich from winning. Memories of that Basel defeat in 2016 remain raw, an opportunity that stressed to Klopp that there could be no shortcoming in his attempt to lead Liverpool back to the summit in England and Europe. And that’s why, despite their joy at ousting the dangerous Bayern, Reds fans will be wary of what ace Emery’s organizer thinks, as he wants to add another precious scalp to the price list. of Villarreal. It will not be easy. Liverpool, however, are now just one step away from Klopp’s fourth European final – a remarkable statistic. Read more related articles Read more related articles