Liverpool into Champions League semi-finals by beating Benfica, avoiding Bayern Munich thanks to Villareal win

Liverpool is into the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since being crowned Europe's best club in 2019.

A round-of-16 exit followed in their title defence, before bowing out in the quarters in 2021, but they have returned to the final four with a 6-4 aggregate win over Portuguese club Benfica.

The score at one point suggested a more dominant victory for the Reds, as they jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the second leg at Anfield, but goals to Roman Yaremchuk and Darwin Núñez in the final 15 minutes meant it ended in a 3-3 draw.

Liverpool will fancy its chances in the semis, avoiding German giant Bayern Munich and instead facing Spain's Villarreal, who beat Bayern 2-1 on aggregate thanks to a second-leg draw after their 1-0 win at home.

The other semi will also be an English vs Spanish affair, after Manchester City held on for a draw against Atletico Madrid to set up a clash with Real.

Atletico defender Felipe was sent off in the 91st minute and Man City clung to the 0-0 draw to lock in the 1-0 aggregate victory.

More to come.