Darwin Nunez insists that Benfica will not fear going to Anfield after Liverpool inflicted a 3-1 defeat on the Eagles in Lisbon on Tuesday evening.
Ibrahima Konate and Sadio Mane gave the Reds a commanding 2-0 half-time lead before Nunez hit one back for the hosts in the second half. The exciting forward then wanted a penalty after tussling with Virgil van Dijk in the Liverpool penalty area but it was waved away and the Uruguayan's misery was compounded when former Porto player Luis Diaz added a third for the visitors late on.
It means that Jurgen Klopp's side hold a two-goal advantage heading into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Benfica, but 22-year-old Nunez says his team will head to Merseyside without fear.
READ MORE: 'That’s unfortunately the truth' - Jurgen Klopp makes Liverpool claim ahead of Man City clash
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp gives Fabinho update and sends Mohamed Salah Liverpool message
Speaking after the match, he said: "Liverpool are a great team, but we are not afraid of them. We will work to get a good result in the second leg. I'm not happy that I scored, what I want here is to win titles, not score goals. I go home sad. Yes, we wanted more, but it was not possible. We are confident, this was demonstrated in the second half."
Nunez' goal on Tuesday was his 26th of the season, in all competitions, in 34 matches. He is understood to be a potential target for Liverpool in the summer, with manager Klopp recently calling him a "good striker" and a "top, top boy".
Nunez wanted a penalty midway through the second half when he cut inside Van Dijk. The centre-back put his hand on the Benfica forward's chest, but having theatrically thrown himself to the ground twice earlier in the match, the referee waved his claims away.
