Liverpool’s victory in the 2019 Champions League cemented their status back among Europe’s elite outfits.It was their first major trophy for seven years - 13 if you’re not counting the League Cup - as the fruits of Jurgen Klopp’s labour finally paid off.The Reds defeated Tottenham 2-0 in the final in Madrid thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi.

Benfica helped Liverpool before final

But did you know that Benfica played a huge part in their success?

The Portuguese side’s B team were recruited by Liverpool to take part in a training match against Klopp’s side a week before the final.

Benfica’s technical director Pedro Marques was friends with Julian Ward, who at the time was the head of loan pathways and football partnerships at Liverpool. 

Marques received a phone call from Ward, who informed him that Liverpool needed an opponent. There was a three-week gap between their last Premier League match and the final in Spain, and they needed to play against a team that would mimic Tottenham’s style.

The big secret

So Ward asked Marques if Benfica could put a team together and fly to Marbella to take on the soon-to-be European champions.

“We were still in competition,” Marques said in an interview with GOAL. “The B team was about to finish the league season, and I said straight away that this was a fantastic opportunity for us, for the boys, so let’s see if we can do it.”

Marques and Benfica’s coaches were able to gather a competitive group of players, although the name of their opponents was kept a secret.

“I couldn’t even tell the boys where we were going or who we were playing,” Marques added. “I’d agreed with Julian and Liverpool that we would keep it under the radar.

“We managed to keep it a secret until we got to Marbella.”

Benfica turned into Tottenham

Once in Marbella, Benfica and Liverpool coaches - including Klopp’s assistant Pep Lijnders - got together to discuss plans for the training match.

“We went through the gameplan of Liverpool, and how they felt Tottenham would play,” Marques said. 

“We went through how we could set up like them, in terms of shape, a few pressing patterns and some attacking plays.

“But they also asked us to play freely outside of those specific situations. They wanted it to be a proper game.”

In the game, Benfica’s players took on the roles of Tottenham stars. Brazilian forward Vinicius Jau became Christian Eriksen; young forward Jose Gomes took on the guise of Harry Kane.

Sadio Mane scored within the opening few minutes and his goal looked pretty similar to the move that led to Liverpool’s early penalty in the final.

Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners and Marques praised the behaviour of Klopp and his players afterwards.

“The Liverpool players were top-notch. They mixed with our boys and gave them some shirts and boots, things like that. They were brilliant,” he added.

“What we said to the boys was ‘enjoy it, but learn as well’, look at all these top players. How do they arrive at training? How do they tie their boots, put their shinpads on, warm up? All those little things, soak it up.”

Benfica supported Liverpool in the final

The Benfica contingent flew back to Portugal the following day before watching Liverpool in the final on June 1.

“We were all supporting them,” Marques continued. “We were a tiny part of their preparation, so we were all very excited. 

“All the boys were in the WhatsApp group sharing their thoughts. They were sending pics from where they were watching the final, some of them had their Liverpool shirts on from Marbella, which was nice to see. 

“Everyone was watching and cheering for them.”

It’s a great story, with the respect between the two clubs now forged forever.