Luis Diaz of Liverpool begins by asking a Man City question as Ibrahima Konate soon realizes
After a 3-1 win over Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals, Liverpool analyzed Luis Diaz, Ibrahima Konate, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Diaz asks Man City a question
The Benfica fans who made their feelings known long before the first whistle had to have known what was going to happen.
When Liverpool's lineup was announced inside the cavernous Estadio da Luz, the loudest boos were reserved for Luis Diaz, a one-time rival with Porto before earning his £50 million move to Anfield in January.
Diaz, who had been used sparingly in the previous games, was on the field from the start in this Champions League quarter-final first leg. And he was targeted by both from the first minute to the last he didn’t want to be and on hand to nod an assist for Sadio Mane to score the second.
Beginning on the left flank, Diaz moved to the right for the final half-hour, but was still in a central position to calmly convert the goal late in the game, giving Liverpool the victory margin their overall performance deserved. The frustrated Benfica fans hurled flagpoles at Diaz, who responded with a dismissive smile.
Mohamed Salah was far more encouraging during a lively first half, Mane shone similarly before the break, Roberto Firmino impressed from the bench, and Diogo Jota, as usual, could have scored after being introduced.
Diaz, on the other hand, may have done enough to earn a starting spot against Manchester City on Sunday. It's the kind of headache that Jurgen Klopp will adore.
The learning curve of Konate
Elite football can be a harsh environment. Simply ask Ibrahima Konate.
The Frenchman had overpowered Benfica dangerman Darwin Nunez for more than half of this Champions League clash, setting the tone by knocking the Uruguayan striker out of his stride in the opening moments.
Konate, composed and strong, also found time to saunter upfield and head in Andy Robertson's inswinging corner from the right for his first goal for Liverpool, putting Klopp's side ahead on 17 minutes.
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