Rafa Benitez hopes his inside information on Atletico Madrid will help to prolong Liverpool's European adventure.
The Reds tackle Spanish opposition in the semi-finals of the Europa League, with the first leg at Vicente Calderon scheduled to take place on Thursday.
Liverpool's preparations for the game have hardly been helped by the travel chaos sweeping the continent, caused by the volcanic ash problem, but they will be ready for action by the time kick-off arrives.
Benitez has also been doing his homework on a dangerous Atletico side, keen to make sure he is prepared for whatever the Primera Liga giants throw at him.
He has quizzed former Atletico aces Fernando Torres and Maxi Rodriguez on what to expect and feels Liverpool are now fully equipped to deal with the challenges which lie ahead.
Benitez said: "They have a very good offensive team. People always talk about Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan but they also have Simao and a good attacking mentality as a team.
"Aguero is a good player for them and is out of the first game. That could be good for us, but you never know. I am sure they will be dangerous anyway.
"I spoke with Maxi and Fernando about them. They have some friends there so we managed to get some information about them. We have some ideas of how to stop them."
Benitez is also hoping that Liverpool can take strength from their unusual travel arrangements, which have seen them make the journey to Madrid by coach, train and plane.
"You have to try to find the positives when you are in this kind of situation and it is vital that everyone stays together when you have a problem," said the Spaniard.
"Of course this isn't ideal and we would have preferred to have flown but, you never know, maybe something like this can work in your favour.
"The players are all happy, staying really positive, even though they might be a little tired, and that for a manager is positive to see.
"It has been a bit different to what we are used to but the main thing is that we have been organised."
The Reds tackle Spanish opposition in the semi-finals of the Europa League, with the first leg at Vicente Calderon scheduled to take place on Thursday.
Liverpool's preparations for the game have hardly been helped by the travel chaos sweeping the continent, caused by the volcanic ash problem, but they will be ready for action by the time kick-off arrives.
Benitez has also been doing his homework on a dangerous Atletico side, keen to make sure he is prepared for whatever the Primera Liga giants throw at him.
He has quizzed former Atletico aces Fernando Torres and Maxi Rodriguez on what to expect and feels Liverpool are now fully equipped to deal with the challenges which lie ahead.
Benitez said: "They have a very good offensive team. People always talk about Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan but they also have Simao and a good attacking mentality as a team.
"Aguero is a good player for them and is out of the first game. That could be good for us, but you never know. I am sure they will be dangerous anyway.
"I spoke with Maxi and Fernando about them. They have some friends there so we managed to get some information about them. We have some ideas of how to stop them."
Benitez is also hoping that Liverpool can take strength from their unusual travel arrangements, which have seen them make the journey to Madrid by coach, train and plane.
"You have to try to find the positives when you are in this kind of situation and it is vital that everyone stays together when you have a problem," said the Spaniard.
"Of course this isn't ideal and we would have preferred to have flown but, you never know, maybe something like this can work in your favour.
"The players are all happy, staying really positive, even though they might be a little tired, and that for a manager is positive to see.
"It has been a bit different to what we are used to but the main thing is that we have been organised."
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