Benfica have ‘no fear’ of Liverpool, says Taarabt

Lisbon (AFP) – Benfica midfielder Adel Taarabt insisted Monday the Portuguese side have no fear of Liverpool ahead of their Champions League quarter-final tie against the English giants.

Benfica will be looking to pull off another shock against six-time European champions Liverpool after already seeing off Barcelona in the group stage and Ajax in the last 16.

“Of course we have a chance, we’re in the quarter-finals,” said Taarabt, who spent seven years in England with Tottenham, QPR and Fulham. 

“Liverpool are a team we respect but we don’t fear them. We know the quality they have.”

Benfica, European Cup winners in 1961 and 1962, sit third in the Primeira Liga after parting ways with coach Jorge Jesus in December, with Nelson Verissimo now in interim charge.

“If we play at our best maybe we can cancel out Liverpool’s strengths,” Verissimo said in a press conference in Lisbon on the eve of Tuesday’s first leg.

“They have a huge squad. They have many attacking options. They can play vertically or out wide. They press high. I’m sure they’ve looked at us and we’ve looked at them. 

“We know when defending we have to be very, very compact like we were against Ajax. The tie is difficult and we know we have to be at our best to have a chance.”

Earlier, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp declared he was “happy” with star forward Mohamed Salah’s contract situation and a fully-fit side.

British media reports at the weekend suggested the Egypt forward, whose deal runs until 2023, was close to agreeing a new contract that would keep him at Anfield until the end of his career.

Klopp, asked about the 29-year-old star striker’s contract position at his pre-match press conference, said: “I’m happy with it because there’s nothing new to say.

“It is good. The decisive parties are talking to each other and that’s all I need.”

The German manager added he had a full squad available with Curtis Jones, Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold all fit.

“I think Curtis was just a little swelling (after Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Watford), (but is) fine. Same with Joel,” said Klopp.

“And Trent trained now four or five days, not sure exactly, but he is ready as well.”

Naby Keita, who missed Saturday’s match with a knee problem, also trained on Monday.