Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Benfica confirmed that the club broke and tied some amazing records from the past. For the first time in club history, the Reds have won eight straight away games, featuring two Champions League victories and two victories at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool’s victory on Tuesday means they had won five consecutive road matches in Europe’s premier club tournament for only the second time, following Joe Fagan’s team did it in 1983 and 1984.
Ibrahima Konate became the Reds 20th different scorer this season – they only had more in 2015/16 – and it was also his 20th appearance for the club. He got closer to coinciding Ray Houghton’s modern-era record of a 23-match undefeated start with Liverpool, having yet to experience a setback with the club.
These kinds of records are fantastic to have, and they neatly show Liverpool’s fantastic form as they head into the second half of the season with the goal of winning three more trophies.
However, such accomplishments are only incidental and will be remembered warmly in the future. In the present, it is arguable that equaling a recent Champions League record for a crucial statistic bears more weight.
Jurgen Klopp’s side generated eight opportunities at the Estadio da Luz that were of such high quality that Opta considered them pretty obvious. When the attacker is clean through or attacking from close range, these are the times when you anticipate them to score.
Mohamed Salah started things off with Liverpool’s first huge chance, which was saved before Konate scored the Reds’ second goal. Soon after, Naby Keita missed to direct a header on target, and the Guinean then put in Luis Diaz with a through pass, but Odysseas Vlachodimos saved the Colombian’s shot. The top attacking teams average roughly three clear-cut opportunities each game, but Liverpool had four in the opening 24 minutes.
