Benfica game will be tough – Benitez

(GSM) – Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has warned his players that there’s a daunting task ahead of him after they were paired with Benfica in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The Portuguese outfit are currently three points clear at the top of their league and will host Liverpool in the first leg of the last eight clash on April 1, with the return at Anfield the following week.

Having eliminated the Reds from the Champions League in 2006, Benitez knows all about the quality of Benfica and is expecting another tough contest this time around.

“We know they are a good team and of course we have played them before in the Champions League,” he told Liverpoolfc.tv. “They are a massive club with a lot of support from their fans and it will be a tough game.

“They are top of the table and playing really well at the moment. I know a number of their players well – Aimar, Saviola, Garcia – so we know they have a lot of quality.

“It’s always important that the second leg is at home in front of our fans. We know we have to perform away and then play well at home. We have the confidence to do that and are looking forward to the games.

“Because we have played Benfica before they will know Anfield and so may not be as scared as other teams, but we have to do things properly and try to go through.”

Liverpool will either face Benitez’ former club Valencia or Fernando Torres’ Atletico Madrid if they progress to the semis but the Spanish manager doesn’t want to look that far ahead.

“You know my idea is always to take one game at a time,” he added. “We are only thinking about Benfica at the moment. They are on a good run so it will be difficult.”