Liverpool set new club defensive record in Benfica victory

Liverpool have set a new club defensive record after seeing off Benfica 3-1 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Estadio da Luz.

Jurgen Klopp's side already had one foot firmly in the semi-finals after 45 minutes - taking a 2-0 lead into the break courtesy of Ibrahima Konate and Sadio Mane's efforts.

Benfica would respond early in the second period as Darwin Nunez capitalised on an error from Konate, but Luis Diaz restored the Reds' two-goal lead late on.

Having kept a clean sheet in the opening 45 minutes at the Estadio da Luz, Liverpool have now gone 19 games in all competitions without conceding a goal in the first half.

Shrewsbury Town were the last team to breach Liverpool's defence in the first half during their FA Cup encounter back in January, with Daniel Udoh netting in the 27th minute before the Reds responded to win 4-1.

Liverpool will endeavour to make it 20 games without conceding a goal in the first half when Manchester City welcome them to the Etihad Stadium for Sunday's top-of-the-table Premier League battle.