Benzema leads the Champions League team of the round dominated by Liverpool

 

Liverpool are the dominant side in the Champions League team of the round with five players making XI. Manchester City and Real Madrid are also represented, but there is no place in the side for Villarreal. Of those to have featured in both legs, we take a look at the WhoScored team of the round. 

 

Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) - 6.67 

 

No goalkeeper covered themselves in glory across the four semi-final matches, with a total of 18 goals scored, but Thibaut Courtois was the standout shotstopper with a WhoScored rating of 6.67. The Belgian conceded five times, but it would have been worse for Real Madrid without Courtois, who made nine saves. 

 

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 7.39 

 

The first of five Liverpool players in the best XI, only Andy Robertson (7) made more key passes than Trent Alexander-Arnold (6) in the Champions League semi-finals, that translating to one assist against Villarreal. A total of four tackles was also solid as Alexander-Arnold makes the team with a WhoScored rating of 7.39. 

 

Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool) - 7.24 

 

Saved for cup matches, Ibrahima Konate didn't let Liverpool down against Villarreal as he ranked third for clearances (11) in the semi-finals. Three interceptions was the 11th most, while nine aerial duels won was the second most as the Frenchman returned a WhoScored rating of 7.24. 

 

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 7.16 

 

The only player to win more aerial duels than Konate was Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk (10). The Dutchman makes the XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.16 having put in back-to-back solid performances to help the Reds to te final. No player made more passes than Van Dijk (159) to justify his selection. 

 

Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City) - 7.21 

 

Rounding off the defence, Oleksandr Zinchenko may have been unable to help Manchester City to a spot in the Champions League final, but it wasn't for want of trying as he earned a WhoScored rating of 7.21. The Ukrainian ranked among the top 10 players for key passes (4), and top for tackles and interceptions combined (12) to feature. 

 

Benzema leads the Champions League team of the round dominated by Liverpool

 

Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) - 7.68 

 

Bernardo Silva was unfortunate to end up on the losing side across both legs as he directly contributed to two of Manchester City's five goals against Real Madrid. Only Luis Diaz (7) completed more dribbles than Silva (6) across the two legs, while no player made more tackles than the Portuguese star, who makes the team with a WhoScored rating of 7.68. 

 

Fabinho (Liverpool) - 7.58 

 

Fabinho scored a key Liverpool goal against Villarreal, putting the Reds back ahead on aggregate after the Yellow Submarine had drawn level. That goal was the Brazilian's first in the competition for Liverpool, as he hit the back of the net with one of two shots. Working hard off the ball, no player made more interceptions than the 28-year-old (5) as he earned a WhoScored rating of 7.58. 

 

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 7.64 

 

Across both legs, Kevin De Bruyne put in a solid attacking performance as he scored one and assisted another for Manchester City against Real Madrid, those coming from respective returns of five shots and six key passes. De Bruyne also completed five dribbles to contribute towards his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 7.64. 

 

Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) - 8.08 

 

Like Silva and De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez also scored one and assisted another in Manchester City's 6-5 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid. The Algerian's goal came from five shots and assist from three key passes, while six tackles saw Mahrez secure a spot on the right with a WhoScored rating of 8.08. 

 

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) - 8.27 

 

With a rating of 8.27, Karim Benzema is the WhoScored Champions League player of the round. The Frenchman scored three of Real Madrid's six goals in the semi-finals, while only Luis Diaz (9) managed more shots than Benzema (7). He was unfortunate not to add an assist, too, as he created five goalscoring chances to spearhead the side. 

 

Sadio Mane (Liverpool) - 7.70 

 

The final Liverpool player in the side completes the team of the round. Sadio Mane scored two of the Reds' five goals against Villarreal, firstly netting their second at Anfield and then the winner at El Madrigal. Mane also completed four dribbles and was fouled five times to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.70.

Benzema leads the Champions League team of the round dominated by Liverpool