Liverpool star Luis Diaz has a stick hurled towards him by a Benfica as he celebrates scoring

A Benfica fan was seen launching a stick at Liverpool forward Luis Diaz after he scored the Reds’s third goal in their 3-1 win. 

The Colombian restored Liverpool’s two-goal cushion after they conceded early on in the second half of their Champions League quarter final first leg at the Estadio da Luz. 

But the 25-year-old shockingly came under attack as he wheeled away in celebration towards the Benfica fans, passionately celebrating his first Champions League strike in a Liverpool shirt.

A Benfica fan was seen launching a stick at Liverpool forward Luis Diaz after he scored

Diaz was shocking attacked as he celebrated scoring Liverpool’s third goal against Benfica

The Colombian restored the Reds’ two-goal cushion in the Champions League first leg tie

As he turned away from the home supporters to celebrate with his team-mates, Naby Keita, Andy Robertson and Roberto Firmino, a fan hurled a stick towards the forward. 

The moment was captured on television footage but the former Porto player appeared to be oblivious as he was caught up in his jubilation. 

A similar incident appeared to occur as Diaz received his Man of the Match award after the final whistle. 

The former Porto player passionately celebrated his strike in front of the home supporters

He then turned away from the stands to celebrate with his team-mates who rushed over

Diaz has a history with Benfica as he joined Liverpool from their old Portuguese rivals Porto in January.

Following the game, former players Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards slammed the fan behaviour as disgusting.

Speaking on CBS former Manchester City star Richards said: ‘That’s disgusting behaviour. I know he has played for Porto and it’s their rivals but the fans are better than that.’

Meanwhile, former Red Carragher insisted similar incidents were creeping into the game more frequently as claimed greater coverage of the sport was responsible.

A similar incident appeared to occur as the 25-year-old received his Man of the Match award

‘It’s happening a lot more in the game,’ he said. ‘There was the Diego Simeone situation at Old Trafford. 

‘In the FA Cup a fan actually ran on the pitch to throw a punch, I think it was during Nottingham Forest against Leicester. 

‘This is more than creeping into our game. This isn’t just in Portugal, I’m saying this is happening in England and it happens all over the place now. 

‘I think a lot of these supporters now are getting what they deserve in terms of bans until the end of the season or a three-year ban. I think there’s got to be that type of deterrent. 

Jamie Carragher (left) and Micah Richards (right) slammed the fan behaviour after the game

‘The rivalry and the tribalism in football now, it certainly wasn’t like that when I was a player. 

‘I think with the amount of football we see on TV and on social media, I do think everybody gets a lot more wound up by football now. 

‘Of course there was aggro between supporters and there was hooliganism. I just feel now football feels a lot bigger than when I was younger, in terms of it’s blanket coverage, it’s on your phone. 

‘And I think fans and even players at certain times just get so het up and that tribalism now with fans going at each other now it’s pretty bad at times.’

Diaz’s strike ensured Liverpool have a two-goal cushion heading into the second leg at Anfield as the Reds continue their quest for a historic quadruple.