Benfica could lose seven stars for Champions League second-leg against Liverpool

Any player who picks up three bookings in Europe's elite competition misses one match through suspension.

Should poor discipline come into play at the Estadio da Luz, Spanish full-back Alex Grimaldo and former Manchester City centre-back Nicolas Otamendi are two of Nelson Verissimo's key defenders at risk.

Both will face a tough test against the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota, as they aim to keep the Reds at bay.

There are also problems in the midfield, with ex-Borussia Dortmund playmaker Julian Weigl and the influential Joao Mario also treading on thin ice.

The pair have featured on a consistent basis for the Portuguese giants this season, making 42 and 38 appearances in all competitions, respectively.

Attackers Goncalo Ramos, Rafa Silva and Roman Yaremchuk are also one yellow card away from sitting out of the return leg on April 13.

Silva, 28, would be a huge miss having netted 12 goals and contributed to 17 assists so far this season.

Liverpool themselves have Jota and Mane walking a tightrope ahead of the match in the Portuguese capital.

Both picked up cards in the Reds' group stage clashes against Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.

Benfica head into the game on the back of a 3-2 defeat away against Braga on Friday, leaving their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League hanging in the balance.

Braga went two goals to the good, before Premier League-linked Darwin Nunez scored from the penalty spot on 74 minutes, and Portugal international Mario equalised for Benfica three minutes later.

Vitor Oliveira put the home side back in front on 79 minutes, however, to secure all three points for his side.

Liverpool, on the other hand, travel to Lisbon on the back of a 2-0 victory over Watford.

Jota and a Fabinho penalty helped Klopp's men keep on the tail of league leaders Manchester City as they hunt for a second Premier League title.