Jurgen Klopp has warned that Liverpool will have to be at their best to get past Benfica in the Champions League
The Reds take on the Portuguese outfit in the first leg of the quarter-final of the competition this week.
They are back in Portugal for the second time this season, after facing Porto earlier in the group stage of the tournament. This will be the first time that the Reds have faced Benfica in the Champions League since the 3-0 lost on aggregate in 2006.
Benfica saw off Ajax in their last-16 tie to book a quarter-final clash against Liverpool, but are not doing as well domestically. They are third in the table and 12 points adrift of leaders Porto having played one game more.
Klopp insists that despite Benfica not thriving in their own league, their success in Europe means Liverpool will have to be wary of the threats they pose.
"We want to be at the top of our game, that’s the plan for all of our games," said Klopp, in his pre-match press conference.
"It's not about trying to improve here or there, you try to improve in general.
"Benfica are a very different opponent (to Watford), one of the most successful teams in Portugal. This year, maybe not exactly where they want to be in the table, but they went far in the Champions League.
"They are a tough opponent, I know a lot of players from the Premier League or Bundesliga or wherever, so it’s a proper team. We have to be really good."
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