Q&AThe inside track on Champions League opponents Benfica

The Reds ended a two-week hiatus over the March international break by defeating Watford 2-0 at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Jürgen Klopp’s squad now quickly turn their attention to a trip to Portugal in search of earning an advantage in their quest to reach the final four of this season’s European Cup.

Here, Liverpoolfc.com chats to Lisbon-based journalist Luis Cristovao about what to expect from the Primeira Liga outfit…

Luis, thank you for talking to us. How do you assess Benfica's season so far overall?

It’s mainly a bad season. Jorge Jesus left the team after problems with his players when Benfica was knocked out of the Portuguese Cup. They had hoped to get back on track in the league, but it ended up giving us an image of what was failing behind the scenes.

With a new coach, the team has lost contact with arch-rivals FC Porto in the league and is still an inconsistent group in terms of results, though they have found the Champions League something to cheer about despite the obvious struggles.

Is it fair to say the Champions League has been a bit of a saving grace?

Yes, I think that’s the idea. Mainly because in the league, Benfica is expected to play a beautiful attacking game while in the games with Ajax, Benfica was more of a defensive team who was able to reach their goal a different way. It is two different mindsets in the same team, for a different competition.

It was a big win over Ajax in the last 16, how important was that victory for the club?

It was very important, because it gives the team, the players, but also the president and the fans, something to believe in again. Third place in the league will get Benfica back into the Champions League play-offs next season, and everybody fears the impact this will have on their progression in the competition. So, to get a European win over Ajax was like a throwback to the good memories of a very strong Benfica team.

If you had to pick out a dangerman for Benfica, who should Liverpool fans be watching out for?

Darwin Nunez. He’s an explosive player, very quick and able to score. He’s also the one player that is taking all of his energy to shine on the European nights for Benfica. I believe he will be the dangerman for Liverpool and I truly think he’ll be playing in the Premier League in the near future.

Can you tell us a little bit about manager Nelson Verissimo and his style of play? What formation does he favour?

His work on the Benfica B team was made up of mainly a 4-4-2 system that he tried to implement in the first team. That, though, is shifting to more of a 4-2-3-1, which sees Goncalo Ramos playing a double role in the team. He is a goalscorer but also a player who can help in midfield.

Benfica is not ready to deploy a high press and with veteran defenders like Nicolas Otamendi and Jan Vertonghen, it is certain they will try to set a low block and expect to surprise Liverpool on the counter-attack.

Jürgen Klopp recently spoke about the excitement of taking on Benfica, is that replicated in Lisbon?

Yes, there is excitement and Estadio da Luz will be full to watch a big European night. Everybody understands how difficult it is to beat Liverpool, but Benfica has had some magic nights at their home ground in the past, so why not try again?

Lastly, how do you think Benfica will approach the tie?

It will be very important to keep Liverpool as far from the goal as possible with a low block.

I believe Benfica will try to keep their defence as strong as possible for as long as possible, because when Liverpool scores one goal, there’s usually a flood coming, which FC Porto has seen in recent years. At the same time, Benfica has some great memories from Anfield and all the fans are hoping to repeat a win there in the return leg.