Liverpool had eight clear-cut chances against Benfica, a rare occurrence in the Champions League knockout stage.
Liverpool's 3-1 win over Benfica ensured that the club set and equaled some impressive records from the past. For the first time in club history, the Reds have won eight consecutive away games, including two Champions League victories and a pair of victories at the Emirates Stadium.
After previously winning at Porto, Atletico Madrid, and both Milan clubs, Liverpool's victory on Tuesday also meant they had won five consecutive away matches in Europe's top club competition for the second time, after Joe Fagan's side did so in 1983 and 1984.
Ibrahima Konate became the Reds' 20th different player to score this season – they only had more in 2015/16 – and it also happened to be his 20th appearance.Having yet to lose a game for Liverpool, he moved one step closer to matching Ray Houghton's modern-era record of a 23-match unbeaten start with the club.
Records like these are fantastic to have, and they nicely illustrate Liverpool's fantastic form as they prepare for the 2021/22 season, with three more trophies on the line. Such accomplishments, however, will be remembered fondly in years to come. In the present, tying a recent Champions League record for a crucial statistic may carry more weight.
Jurgen Klopp's team created eight chances of such high quality at the Estadio da Luz that Opta deemed them clear-cut. When the attacker is clean through or strikes from close range, these are the moments when you would expect them to score.
Mohamed Salah set the tone with Liverpool's first big chance, which was saved, before Konate scored from the Reds' second. Soon after, Naby Keita was unable to direct a header on goal, and the Guinean then played in Luis Diaz with a through ball, but the Colombian's effort was saved by Odysseas Vlachodimos. The best attacking teams average around three clear-cut chances per match, but Liverpool had four in the first 24 minutes.
It only took them 10 minutes to get their next one, and when it did, Mane gave the goalkeeper no chance, extending the lead to 2-0. Salah then had another clear-cut chance saved just before halftime, but the visitors still had six before the break.
And, while it took until the 87th minute for their next goal, it was well worth the wait, as the Keita-Diaz axis combined once more to put Liverpool up 3-1. There was still time for Jordan Henderson to set up Diogo Jota for a clear shot on goal, but it was saved to ensure the Portuguese team travels to Anfield next week with at least a glimmer of hope.
Only three of the outfield starters did not create or shoot a clear-cut chance, while nine different men in yellow did. In an attacking sense, the phrase "team effort" has rarely carried as much weight.
Liverpool's eight clear-cut chances are not the most in a Champions League game. Klopp's men had nine goals in a 4-0 win over Red Star Belgrade in 2018, but because two of them were penalties, their efforts against Benfica were arguably superior.