Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has warned Benfica that the sides’ Europa League quarter-final is far from over.
The Portuguese side came from behind to beat Rafael Benitez’s men 2-1 in Thursday evening's first leg, though Daniel Agger’s away goal was the first incident of note in an incident-packed night in Lisbon.
The remainder of the game saw the Reds’ Ryan Babel sent off, Benfica’s Oscar Cardozo score two penalties and several fireworks being launched on the field by spectators.
The football is all that matters according to Lucas though and the Brazilian says there is plenty of that left and that Agger’s lovely early strike could now be key ahead of the second leg at Anfield next week.
"We are really disappointed," Lucas was quoted as saying by Liverpool’s website. "We started the game really well and scored an early goal.
"We created some chances - even when we went down to ten men.
"Now we need to keep going and try to score the goal at Anfield that could send us through. We knew the away goal was important, so we still have hope of reaching the semi-finals.
"We worked really hard because it is difficult to play with a player less. I think we showed character and quality. We would also like to thank the fans because as always they came here and supported us.
"Both penalties were given because the linesman told the referee. The game is gone. We will now look to play well at Anfield and show the same character."
Lucas said little about Babel’s red card, only adding: "The referee said it was because of a hand in the face.
"To be honest, we don't want to talk about the referee. Everyone saw the game and can analyse better than us. We will just look forward now. We have an important game in the Premier League before the second-leg - then we will try our best to make it to the semi-finals."