Liverpool will be hoping for a repeat of their latest outing as they travel to Iberia this Thursday to take on Benfica in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.
The Reds answered their many critics as they blitzed a shell-shocked Sunderland on their way to an easy 3-0 win on Sunday which keeps them in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Much of the talk surrounding Anfield since then has centred on whether or not Rafael Benitez will adopt similar tactics for the trip to Portugal, with fans howling for more of the high-octane football which humiliated a normally stubborn Black Cats side.
However, it would be no surprise if the Spanish tactician were more conservative at the Estadio da Luz - especially when you consider his last encounter with the Aguilas.
It was Benfica who ruined Liverpool's Champions League defence in 2005-06, ousting the five-time winners in the first knockout round - and the Portuguese side are a far more impressive unit now than they were then.
The Lisbon giants have already conquered Merseyside this season, beating Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park before thrashing them 5-0 at home, and are easing their way to domestic honours in some style.
And with a reputation as one of Europe's most forward-thinking teams to uphold, Jorge Jesus and his charges will be determined to put on a show against one of England's traditional powerhouses.
FORM GUIDE
Benfica
Mar 27: Benfica 1-0 Braga (Portuguese Liga)
Mar 18: Olympique Marseille 1-2 Benfica (Europa League)
Mar 14: Nacional 0-1 Benfica (Portuguese Liga)
Mar 11: Benfica 1-1 Olympique Marseille (Europa League)
Mar 7: Benfica 3-1 Pacos de Ferreira (Portuguese Liga)
Liverpool
Mar 28: Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Mar 21: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 18: Liverpool 3-0 Lille (Europa League)
Mar 15: Liverpool 4-1 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Mar 11: Lille 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)
TEAM NEWS
Benfica
There is little to report from Lisbon, except that playmaker Pablo Aimar - one of Reds boss Benitez's former favourites at Valencia - is in line to start after a couple of games on the substitutes bench.
Last starting XI (vs. Sporting Braga): Julio Cesar, Pereira, Luiz, Falcao, Coentrao, Garcia, Ramires, Martins, Di Maria, Cardozo, Saviola.
Liverpool
Alberto Aquilani joins defenders Martin Skrtel (foot), Fabio Aurelio (thigh) and Martin Kelly (knee) on sidelines after injuring his ankle in training, while midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible.
Last starting XI (vs. Sunderland): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Gerrard, Maxi, Kuyt, Babel, Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Benfica
Where to begin? Angel di Maria is one of the most sought-after young wingers in Europe; Oscar Cardozo has been netting goals for a laugh; and the experienced Argentine duo of Javier Saviola and Pablo Aimar have rediscovered themselves since crossing the border from Spain. Throw in Brazilian international Ramires, and that's plenty for the visitors to think about.
Liverpool
Fernando Torres' form since returning from injury has been irresistible, with his two remarkable finishes at the weekend underlining just why he is considered one of the world's greatest strikers. Steven Gerrard also starred in that game, and many will be curious to see whether the skipper stays in central midfield or is pushed up to partner 'El Nino'.
The Reds answered their many critics as they blitzed a shell-shocked Sunderland on their way to an easy 3-0 win on Sunday which keeps them in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Much of the talk surrounding Anfield since then has centred on whether or not Rafael Benitez will adopt similar tactics for the trip to Portugal, with fans howling for more of the high-octane football which humiliated a normally stubborn Black Cats side.
However, it would be no surprise if the Spanish tactician were more conservative at the Estadio da Luz - especially when you consider his last encounter with the Aguilas.
It was Benfica who ruined Liverpool's Champions League defence in 2005-06, ousting the five-time winners in the first knockout round - and the Portuguese side are a far more impressive unit now than they were then.
The Lisbon giants have already conquered Merseyside this season, beating Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park before thrashing them 5-0 at home, and are easing their way to domestic honours in some style.
And with a reputation as one of Europe's most forward-thinking teams to uphold, Jorge Jesus and his charges will be determined to put on a show against one of England's traditional powerhouses.
FORM GUIDE
Benfica
Mar 27: Benfica 1-0 Braga (Portuguese Liga)
Mar 18: Olympique Marseille 1-2 Benfica (Europa League)
Mar 14: Nacional 0-1 Benfica (Portuguese Liga)
Mar 11: Benfica 1-1 Olympique Marseille (Europa League)
Mar 7: Benfica 3-1 Pacos de Ferreira (Portuguese Liga)
Liverpool
Mar 28: Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Mar 21: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 18: Liverpool 3-0 Lille (Europa League)
Mar 15: Liverpool 4-1 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Mar 11: Lille 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)
TEAM NEWS
Benfica
There is little to report from Lisbon, except that playmaker Pablo Aimar - one of Reds boss Benitez's former favourites at Valencia - is in line to start after a couple of games on the substitutes bench.
Last starting XI (vs. Sporting Braga): Julio Cesar, Pereira, Luiz, Falcao, Coentrao, Garcia, Ramires, Martins, Di Maria, Cardozo, Saviola.
Liverpool
Alberto Aquilani joins defenders Martin Skrtel (foot), Fabio Aurelio (thigh) and Martin Kelly (knee) on sidelines after injuring his ankle in training, while midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible.
Last starting XI (vs. Sunderland): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Gerrard, Maxi, Kuyt, Babel, Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Benfica
Where to begin? Angel di Maria is one of the most sought-after young wingers in Europe; Oscar Cardozo has been netting goals for a laugh; and the experienced Argentine duo of Javier Saviola and Pablo Aimar have rediscovered themselves since crossing the border from Spain. Throw in Brazilian international Ramires, and that's plenty for the visitors to think about.
Liverpool
Fernando Torres' form since returning from injury has been irresistible, with his two remarkable finishes at the weekend underlining just why he is considered one of the world's greatest strikers. Steven Gerrard also starred in that game, and many will be curious to see whether the skipper stays in central midfield or is pushed up to partner 'El Nino'.
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