Jürgen Klopp is finally chasing the Champions League title with Liverpool FC, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are also in the semi-finals of the premier class.
Liverpool handed a 3: 3 (1: 1) in the quarter-final second leg against Benfica Lisbon on Wednesday evening for entry into the round of the top four teams.
City didn't need a win after going 1-0 in their first meeting either, advancing to the semi-finals with a 0-0 draw at Atlético Madrid.
While coach Guardiola will now meet Real Madrid with the English champions, coach Klopp plays with the Reds against Bayern conqueror FC Villarreal.
The semi-finals will take place on 26/27.
April (first legs) and 3./4.
May (second leg) instead.
The goals from former Leipzig player Ibrahima Konaté (21st minute) and former Hoffenheimer Roberto Firmino (55th/65th) ensured a long, confident performance by Klopp's team.
Then Benfica came back: Goals from Gonçalo Ramos (32'), Roman Yaremtschuk (73') and Darwin Núñez (82') were no longer enough for the Portuguese to create a sensation despite their late urge phase with several big chances.
It was not a sure-fire success for Klopp and Liverpool after the 3-1 first-leg win in Lisbon.
In a fast-paced game, the hosts roused Anfield after just over 20 minutes when Konaté headed in from a corner.
But Benfica held back.
A first goal by Darwin (23rd) was disallowed for offside.
Shortly thereafter, Ramos sank free in front of Reds goalkeeper Alisson to equalize.
That didn't shock Liverpool at all.
On the contrary: Driven by their own fans, the second in the Premier League table improved after the break.
First, Firmino pushed into the short corner after nice preliminary work from Diogo Jota.
Ten minutes later, the Brazilian converted a free-kick directly.
After that, Anfield had to tremble.
First Yaremchuk rounded Alisson and made the connection, then Darwin pushed in free-standing.
The stadium fell silent for a moment, but it wasn't enough for Benfica.
In Madrid, on the other hand, almost everything went as expected for a long time: the English controlled the game with their possession football, Atlético were waiting for a counterattack.
National player Ilkay Gündogan had the best chance in the first round.
The City professional put his shot (30th) from a few meters but only on the post.
Only in the course of the second half did the Spaniards give up their defensive stance and push for success.
Atlético braced themselves vehemently against the impending end.
World champion Antoine Griezmann (57th) shot just wide from 20 meters, Rodrigo de Paul (70th) also missed from a promising position.
Manchester was increasingly losing control.
But even in the heated final phase with twelve minutes of added time, Atlético could no longer score.
Instead, Felipe (90 + 2) saw yellow-red after a pack formation.