Benitez seeks revenge

Rafa Benitez has demanded his players return from Lisbon with an away goal as he attempts to rectify one of the most frustrating nights of his Liverpool career.

The Reds face Benfica this evening in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final and Benitez is desperate to avoid a scoreline similar to when the sides last met in 2006.

Liverpool were undone in the last 16 of the Champions League when they let their concentration slip in the Estadio Du Luz and conceded a 87th-minute header to Luisao.

Benitez then saw his squad play into Benfica's hands in the Anfield return - they lost 2-0 - but he has impressed on this year's group the need to stay composed throughout.

"It is very important to concentrate for the full game," said Benitez. "I had people in Marseille watching Benfica in the last round and we know this is going to be tough.

"We have got to do well away - and at home - if we want to progress. Benfica are very dangerous when they play away, as they score a lot of goals.

"We will have to do really well. But we are in form now and we will see if we can get to the final. It was easy for Benfica the last time we played after they won the first leg 1-0.

"All they had to do at Anfield was sit and counterattack but we had problems because we needed to change our team. Now we have more experience and we are stronger."

With Maxi Rodriguez ineligible, Benitez will have to make at least one change to the side that steamrollered Sunderland 3-0 at Anfield on Sunday.

He could ask Lucas to slot in alongside Javier Mascherano and push Steven Gerrard forward but the manager also has the option of recalling Yossi Benayoun.

But whatever he chooses to do, Benitez wants to see a committed performance to ensure Liverpool have a straightforward task at Anfield seven days from now.

"It is important to approach the game with confidence," said Benitez. "But we know it will be difficult as Benfica are top of their league and scoring a lot of goals.

"At least if you go with confidence, you know that you can score. It is important for us to score away from home. The players are pushing and working hard and it is helping others.

"You know when you go to a battle and the first one steps forward for everyone to follow him, it is easier. We will stick together and that is crucial for the rest of the season.

"We have experience at this level in these kind of competitions. It will be a very interesting game in a fantastic stadium; they have good players but we will be ready."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.