Salah, Mane rested for Liverpool-Benfica clash

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Virgil Van Dijk were rested as Liverpool took on Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made seven changes to the team that drew 2-2 at Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday, despite leading 3-1 from the first leg.

Klopp rested his most important players for the FA Cup semi-final against City at Wembley on Saturday, a match Liverpool were expected to win easily.

Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, and Kostas Tsimikas were all brought in to replace three of the back four.

In came Naby Keita and James Milner, who was making his first start since March 2.

Salah and Mane were replaced in Liverpool’s three-man attack by Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz, both of whom came on as substitutes against City.

If Liverpool maintains their lead over Benfica, they will meet Villarreal in the Champions League semi-finals.

The Reds are chasing an unprecedented quadruple this season, trailing City by one point in the Premier League.

Liverpool (4-3-3)

Alisson Becker; Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip, Kostas Tsimikas; Naby Keita, James Milner, Jordan Henderson; Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Luis Diaz

Coach: Jurgen Klopp (GER)

Benfica (4-2-3-1)

Odysseas Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Nicolas Otamendi, Jan Vertonghen, Alex Grimaldo; Adel Taarabt, Julian Weigl; Diogo Goncalves, Goncalo Ramos, Everton; Darwin Nunez

Coach: Nelson Verissimo (POR)

Referee: Serdar Gozubuyuk (NED)