in the final match of january, benfica lost to sporting cp and underwent another erratic period, losing two more league matches in february. a home win against liverpool motivated them; they beat porto and eliminated the reigning title-holders from the champions league. this success was not replicated domestically; in mid-march, benfica lost further ground in the primeira liga and were eliminated from the portuguese cup. koeman's side recovered, but they were eliminated by barcelona from the champions league and failed to overtake sporting when they dropped seven points in three match-days. at the end of the season, koeman left the club by mutual consent.