Ten-man Liverpool narrowly lost their Europa League quarter-final first-leg in Lisbon thanks to three key decisions by the match officials.

Having taken a ninth-minute lead through Daniel Agger’s cheeky backheel from Steven Gerrard’s free-kick, Liverpool were rocked by striker Ryan Babel’s 29^th-minute dismissal.

Benfica defender Luisao was booked for a tackle from behind on Fernando Torres, but Babel saw red for pushing the Brazilian in the face twice as an un-necessary melee ensued.

Benfica had already created, and wasted, a number of chances, with popular striker Oscar Cardozo particularly guilty, as Angel De Maria pulled the strings from midfield.

And after the sending-off, the pattern remained the same, with Cardozo heading over on 50 minutes when unmarked six yards out.

Liverpool defended determinedly but Benfica equalised on 59 minutes. Di Maria struck the post with a 20-yard free-kick and Emiliano Insua fouled Pablo Aimar in the ensuing goalmouth scramble.

Cardozo drilled the penalty just past Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina’s left-hand.

Torres should have restored Liverpool’s advantage with fifteen minutes left but shot wide after an excellent counter-attack.

And moments later, Benfica went ahead when Cordozo converted his second spot-kick after Jamie Carragher’s handball in front of the additional assistant referee.