Benfica show fight in draw with Liverpool

Benfica say good bye to the Champions League from the quarter-final stage after an exciting two legs against Premiership side Liverpool as they fall 6-4 on aggregate after drawing the second leg 3-3 earlier today. Benfica's poor first half in the first leg looks to be the major difference in this encounter and has myself and other Benfica fans wondering why this club does not show the same hustle and vigor during league action.

Benfica needed to get the opening goal after falling 3-1 to Liverpool in the first leg but another opening corner kick goal from Konate opened the scoring for Liverpool. Goncalo Ramos would then bring Benfica level going into the half. The second half say a pair of goals from striker Firmino give Liverpool a 3-1 lead but Benfica did not quit and goals by Yaremchuk and Darwin Nunez brought the game level once again with eight minutes remaining.

A brilliant Allison save just minutes later after the Benfica equalizer kept the Lisbon side from going ahead as the Liverpool keeper denied a Darwin Nunez bullet from going in on the lower left side. Nunez would score again in injury time but his goal would be ruled off side for the third time in the game but this time VAR would not over rule the linesman's call siding with the officials on two of the three Darwin markers in the game. Benfica get set to face city rivals Sporting on Easter Sunday as they hope to put a dent on the Lions title hopes.

Benfica ready to add Lille's Xeka to squad

Benfica are said to be currently in talks to bring home 27 year old Lille midfielder Xeka to the club next season as the Portuguese born midfielder will be out of contract at seasons end and be able to join the Lisbon side on a free transfer making a return to Portugal since departing back in 2017 according to reports from Portugal.

Xeka first joined Lille on loan from Braga during the winter of 2017 and made the move permanent for €5M in the summer of 2017. Xeka has appeared in 143 games across all competitions for the French club, scoring eight goals while setting up an additional seven. Xeka has not only played at Braga but also spent some time with Covilha at the senior level.

Benfica to return to Almeria for another striker

Benfica look to try their luck again this summer with a striker currently at Spanish second division side Almeria and hope to strike gold as they did in the summer of 2020 when they acquired Darwin Nunez from the same club. With Nunez set to depart for greener pastures this summer and Benfica ready to reap a windfall of cash for the sale of the 22 year old, the club is looking to acquire a replacement for the Uruguayan international.

According to reports coming from Italy, Benfica are in talks already with Almeria for the clubs current number one striker Umar Sadiq. The 25 year old was Nunez's replacement at the Spanish side and has scored 38 goals across all competitions since joining the club over the past two seasons. Almeria is also set to reap a windfall from Benfica's sale of Darwin Nunez based on an add on clause that will see them receive 20% of any future sale that Benfica make on the player. This itself should see the clubs want to work together once more.