Rafa’s revived Reds confident of continuing run
After victories over Wigan and Arsenal in the Barclays Premiership, and Manchester United in the FA Cup, Liverpool turn their attention to the last 16 of the Champions League.
And if they emerge from the first leg at least without being beaten, the European champions will have confounded their critics and set themselves up for a dramatic final quarter of the season.
Recent league defeats to Manchester United, Chelsea and Charlton plus a home draw with Birmingham suggested Liverpool were feeling the strain of a campaign which began for them in July, with Champions League qualifiers. But three consecutive domestic victories have lifted spirits, and if they can add Benfica's scalp then Benitez will return from Portugal a happy man with clear objectives for the rest of the season.
He said: "People said that we had an important week coming up and they were right. We've had two good wins so far and now we want to earn a good result against Benfica.
"The character of the players has been fantastic and the energy levels have been magnificent.
"Victories over teams as good as Arsenal and Manchester United are always going to be good for confidence and we go to Benfica feeling happy.
"I am pleased with our recent progress, I recall people were saying that we couldn't beat the three top clubs but now we have beaten Arsenal and Manchester United and I believe we can continue in that way for the future.
Meanwhile Liverpool defender Steve Finnan has promised Laurent Robert a tough time when the pair clash.
The Irish full-back who claims Liverpool can go all the way to the final again had many a showdown with the unpredictable Frenchman when he was playing in the Barclays Premiership.
Robert, who has moved to Benfica from Newcastle after a loan spell at Portsmouth this season, has recovered from a hamstring injury at just the right time to face Liverpool in their last-16 clash.
Benfica coach Ronald Koeman is confident his players can bounce back from last weekend's defeat at Guimaraes. Their Portuguese title hopes were dented with Sunday's 2-0 defeat, which left Koeman's side fourth in the standings behind leaders Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Braga.
Koeman believes the clash with the European champions allows his side the perfect opportunity to make immediate amends.
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