Ian Rush sends a warning to Liverpool FC ahead of Champions League clash

Ian Rush sends a warning to Liverpool FC ahead of Champions League clash

Liverpool legend Ian Rush sends warning message to the Reds against taking their UEFA Champions League quarter-final opponents Benfica lightly after they were drawn against them in quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Rush, feels the Reds should not make the mistake of underestimating the Portuguese giants Benfica.

Jordan Henderson lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy. (Getty Images)

The Welshman reflected on how Benfica beat Ajax in the Champions League Round of 16 to book their place in the quarter-finals.

He recalled how the Primeira Liga outfit won the European Cup for two years in a row in 1961 and 1962. He wrote in his Gambling.com column:

“Liverpool got the Champions League draw they were hoping for in Benfica, but they knocked out a very good Ajax side in the last round so we’re not in the semi-final just yet.”

“Benfica are a bit like the Portuguese Liverpool. They’re very famous and have a great affinity with the European Cup having won it back-to-back in 1961 and 1962. They’re not doing so well in the league this season but they’ve come alive on European nights.”

Ian Rush feels Benfica could take inspiration from the Reds’ Champions League triumph in 2005. However, he still believes Klopp’s side will emerge victorious in the tie. He wrote:

“It’s not too dissimilar to Liverpool’s situation in 2005 when the team were struggling in the Premier League but came into their own in the Champions League and, of course, went on to produce one of the greatest nights in the club’s history in Istanbul.”

“Maybe Benfica can take some inspiration from that? I expect Liverpool to come through the tie but they need to be careful not to underestimate their opponents because you never know what might happen on European nights and that’s what makes them so special.”

Benfica will host Liverpool in the first leg of the tie on 5th April. The two sides will then clash at Anfield in the second leg on 13th April.

In other news, Liverpool would not have “won the Premier League or Champions League without key player influence