Buoyant Benfica to give Benitez plenty of food for thought

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez is wary of the threat posed by Benfica having previously been dumped out of Europe by them.

Four years ago the Portuguese side ended the Reds’ hopes of becoming the first side to win back-to-back Champions League titles when they lost 3-0 over two legs.

Benfica are currently three points clear of Braga at the top of the Portuguese Liga and Benitez will not underestimate their last-eight opponents, who include among their ranks Pablo Aimar, who Benitez managed at Valencia.