Adel Taarabt believes Liverpool’s experience of the Champions League’s latter stages makes them a formidable opponent for Benfica.
The Reds are hosted by the Portuguese side in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday evening and are looking for their third semi-final appearance in four years under Jurgen Klopp. During the German’s time at Anfield, Liverpool have played in two Champions League finals and a Europa League showpiece back in 2016.
Attacking midfielder Taarabt says the 2019 winners of Europe’s premier competition head into the tie having shaken off their inconsistent tag he believes they held during his time in English football with Queens Park Rangers.
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Taarabt said: “ Liverpool is a team which has been playing four or five years together so I think they have the momentum and know each other very well. When I played Liverpool they were an inconsistent team, already a great team but with players coming in and out. This one is more strong.
“They are very experienced players. As well they played many games in England so they know very well the team of Liverpool. It is very important but I think tomorrow we are going to try to do our best and I hope our quality will be very important. The most important thing for us is to be good tactically and as a team."
Liverpool head to Portugal with the news that Naby Keita is back in full training having taken part in an open session before the flight to Lisbon on Tuesday evening. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also vying for a recall having sat out Saturday’s win over Watford after a recent hamstring injury.
